Traditional bride price in Idoma land of Benue State has been codified and fixed at fifty thousand naira only.
This was disclosed by the Idoma Area Traditional Council, IATC at the end of its meeting at Otukpo on Wednesday.
The IATC said it arrived at this far reaching decision after wide spread consultation with rulers, political leaders, and most importantly their God-given subjects.
It also said some self-imposed, barbaric, and harsh cultural practices have been expunged from the practice of the culture and tradition of the people.
The IATC enjoined all Idoma-speaking people to strictly adhere to all decisions of the council in the interest of its people.
Some of the decisions of the council include the prohibition of costly burial rites especially the imposition of costly prescriptions, stipulations, and requirements on the bereaved family for the burial rites of a deceased person in Idoma land.
The IATC said the practice of depriving the children and wife(s) of the deceased from Inheriting His property in the area is banned.
It said the practice where relatives deny and deprive the children and wives of deceased persons their right to inheritance of the deceased’s property, is prohibited.
” For the avoidance of doubt, where the deceased is survived by wife(s) and children, such children and wife(s) shall have the right of first consideration, in the apportioning of the inheritance, in the absence of a Written Will.”
The new law allows a deceased’s wife to be buried in her husband’s place, except in special circumstances where the Wife during her lifetime, was married to and had children for more than one man; in which case, the wife may be buried in her father’s place to allow other husbands and children to partake in the burial rites.
All forms of stringent conditions, stipulations, and expectations associated with traditional marriage are hereby removed and prohibited according to the new law by the IATC.
The new IATC frowned at the indiscriminate burial of corpses within and around the community, especially in residential areas saying it is prohibited and enjoined every community to mandatorily provide a burial ground.
“Where for any special reasons, a person has to be buried within or around the compound, the permit of the Traditional Ruler must first be sought and obtained and such burial spot or grave must be marked and secured.”