The Idoma Space Conventional Council of Benue State has introduced N50,000 because the unified conventional bride value to be paid by a person taking a spouse from the tribe.
The paramount ruler of the Idoma nation, the Ochidoma, His Royal Majesty Elaigwu John, who unveiled the choice in his New 12 months message additionally declared that there shall be no dearer burial ceremonies within the Idomaland.
Based on a press launch on Wednesday, January 3, 2023, by the Chief Palace Scribe, Onuminya Odoba, the monarch was out to reform “some self-imposed, barbaric, and harsh cultural practices” that make life tough for the individuals.
The monarch, who’s an ex-Deeper Life Pastor, mentioned the reforms had been undertaken by the Idoma Space Conventional Council after extensive consultations with rulers, political leaders, and their topics.
“Our deliberations arrived on the following conclusions for the quick adherence of all true Idoma individuals, clans, tongues, and folks below the Idoma Space Conventional Council,” the monarch declared.
“Imposition of pricey prescriptions, stipulations, and necessities on the bereaved household for the burial rites of a deceased individual is hereby prohibited in Idomaland.
“Burial rites must be performed inside inexpensive technique of the household and, as a lot as potential, concluded inside two to 3 weeks from the date of dying,”
The council additionally prohibited “the observe of depriving the kids and spouse or wives of the deceased from inheriting his property.”
“The observe whereby kinfolk deny and deprive the kids and spouse or wives of the deceased of their proper to inheritance of the deceased’s property is hereby prohibited.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the place the deceased is survived by spouse or wives and kids, such youngsters and spouse or wives shall have the best of first consideration, within the apportioning of the inheritance, within the absence of a written will.”
On the burial of a married lady, the monarch mentioned, “The deceased’s spouse shall be buried in her husband’s place, besides in particular circumstances the place the spouse, throughout her lifetime, was married to and had youngsters for a couple of man, by which case, the spouse could also be buried in her father’s place to permit different husbands and kids to partake within the burial rites.”
On marriage, the monarch mentioned, “Conventional bride value in Idomaland is hereby unified and stuck at N50,000. All types of stringent circumstances, stipulations, and expectations related to conventional marriage are hereby eliminated and prohibited.”
He additionally barred indiscriminate burial of corpses inside and across the group, particularly in residential areas, forthwith.
“Each group is mandatorily required to, inside a interval not later than thirty first December 2024, earmark and designate a spot in every village or hamlet, as a burial floor, to bury corpses,” the normal ruler mentioned.
“The place for any particular causes, an individual must be buried inside or across the compound, the allow of the normal ruler should first be sought and obtained and such burial spot or grave have to be marked and secured.”