A Sociological Examination of Property Inheritance System in Esan LAND of Edo State Nigeria

A SOCIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF PROPERTY INHERITANCE

 

SYSTEM IN ESAN LAND OF EDO STATE NIGERIA.

 

            `                                                           BY

DR ANDREW OMON EROMONSELE AND PROF. AGATHA, N.T. EGUAVUOEN

e-mail: romosele@yahoo.com and    anteguavoen@yahoo.com

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, AMBROES ALLI UNIVERSITY, EKPOMA,

 

NIGERIA.

 

ABSTRACT

This paper examined Property Inheritance system in Esan land which constitutes Central Senatorial District of Edo State, Nigeria. The study examined variants of inheritance system as they affect the women folk and the coping strategies adopted by the women in living with inheritance pattern. Qualitative research method was adopted. We discovered there is strong desire for male preference for the purpose of inheritance even among the women folk. To sustain this hegemony of male preference for inheritance purposes, women were further manipulated consciously or unconsciously, through various socio-cultural constraints, to give credence and legitimacy to these variants of inheritance system. From the study population, a marriage without a male child was deemed not be a successful one. Three major strategies were identified to have been employed by women to cope and live with the inheritance systems: The first involved those that resigned to fate and accepted the system. The second are those who have also accepted the inheritance system but devised a means of creating their own wealth; and thirdly, those who stressed the need for women empowerment and education of the girl child. However, there appears to be some windows of change opening up in relation to the issue of Property Inheritance systems in Esan land. In order to squarely address the problem of Property Inheritance in Esan land some recommendations were suggested.

Keywords: Property Inheritance, Gender, Productive Assets, Widow, Arebhoa.