Civilization vs. Tradition: The Fight for Women's Rights in the Ibibio Tribe

“Ibibio” is a popular native tribe in Nigeria where its large population of people are found in Akwa Ibom state – southern region. However, the tribe has a slight similar tradition with the “Efik” tribe (a tribe in Cross River state). It is a blessed ethnic group with flourishing farmlands, raw materials and livestock; one of the commonest raw materials that is predominant in the region is “palm oil”. Traditionally, palm oil is used for cooking and can be served as a rite in marriage. Beyond the farm produce benefits, the Ibibio tribe has other traditions that are seen to be repugnant, yet it is being practiced.

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Family Meeting and Planning:

In most homes, people tend to have meetings without inviting the women – sisters and even the mother. The notion of this action is to show that their contribution to the family is not significant thereby causing them to feel that they are not part of the family. More so, if outcome of the meeting that affects the women it will be imposed on them instead of being a mutual agreement of the family members. However, civilization is gradually wiping off the ideology, but some families tend not to succumb.

Sharing of Inheritance:

Aside from the Ibibio tribe, many tribes in Nigeria happen to be practicing the refusal of giving the inheritance to the daughters of a late father or mother. It is seen that daughters have no right over their parents’ properties because they will be married out of the family, unknown to them that are still part of the family. The Ibibio tribe believes that since her surname will be changed, she has no right over her parents’ properties again. In a situation where the parents had only daughters the uncles end up claiming the properties; oftentimes they extended family members override the WILL that was written by the parents.

Denying of Widows’ Rights:

Most women end up being helpless when their husband dies; this is because the bereaved family which includes the wife, children, brothers, sisters, etc. will be overpowered by the brothers when it comes to sharing of inheritance. When a woman is seen as a weaker vessel traditionally men leverage on that to cheat on the women who are the core victims. In Ibibio tribe we have lots of women who have lost everything they built with their husband all because of tradition and they have no one to advocate for them. Even during the burial arrangement, the brothers can be planning it without the consent of the wife which is not civil.

What civilization has done:

The Western education has caused a drastic change in the Ibibio nation, thereby women tend to know their right as a citizen of Nigeria. The only challenge we are facing is in the core rural areas is lack of awareness and campaigns; in those regions, men keep oppressing the women and go unpunished. Therefore, there is a need to embrace education as a citizen and tribe so that no one that fraud you of your rights.

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