Inheritance Practices in Igbo Culture
Traditionally, Igbos do not rely on written wills for inheritance. Instead, the distribution of assets after the head of the family passes away follows a structured hierarchy based on divine positions within the family. Every individual has a specific role to play in the family unit.
However, with the introduction of Western education, this established order has faced challenges. Children now sometimes bypass the traditional hierarchy and claim inheritance based on power rather than divine right. This shift can occur, especially if the deceased didn’t have a final discussion with his Umunna before his passing.
Polygamy also poses a threat to the traditional inheritance system in Igbo culture. The influence of Western ideals has altered the practice of polygamy among post-missionary Igbo families, leading to potential discord in inheritance matters.
Married women who enter families often introduce personal motives that can disrupt the harmony among the family’s children. They may seek to alter the customary distribution of property, particularly if the second wife has more sons than the primary wife. This can lead to conflicts regarding the sharing of the father’s estate.
In Igbo tradition, every child, whether born within or outside of wedlock, is considered a legitimate heir entitled to a share of the father’s estate based on longstanding customs.
The first son traditionally inherits the Obi, which in modern terms refers to the parlor or sitting room. The remaining children inherit their mother’s dwelling until they are ready to establish their own homes on land provided by their father.
If the father’s assets are limited, the compound may be divided among the male children, with the Obi going to the eldest son if there is only one wife. In cases where there are multiple wives, the compound may be divided accordingly, but the Obi remains intact.
When it comes to land inheritance, it is typically divided equally among male heirs, with no provisions made for daughters. This exclusion stems from the belief that daughters would marry and move to their husband’s village; therefore, land inheritance is reserved for male children.
In rare cases where a man has no sons and lacks the means to marry additional wives, his eldest daughter may assume duties on his behalf or marry a woman who can bear children in his name. This ensures that the family name and any inherited assets are preserved within the lineage.
