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Understanding Same-sex Marriage Traditions in Igbo Culture: Perspectives and Practices
In Igbo land, there are intriguing marriage customs that might seem unusual to outsiders. One such tradition permits a woman to pay dowry for another woman and call her ‘wife.’ However, this same tradition strictly forbids a man from marrying another man.
Igbo tribe are groups of people with unique cultures and traditions. In this setup, men are considered the heads, and women are expected to be submissive. Despite the exposure of women, certain restrictions exist within Igbo culture. Let’s explore these aspects.
In Igbo culture, men generally have more freedom compared to women. There’s a unique rule allowing women to marry each other, which raises questions about why such a practice exists. Unlike men, who face restrictions on marrying their fellow men, women can legally marry each other, referring to their partner as their ‘husband.’
The reason behind this distinction lies in the Igbo belief that every man represents a head or captain (Obi). Men are expected to continue their lineage independently. Marrying a fellow man would disrupt this lineage structure, as two captains cannot be on the same ship.
Moreover, many Igbo communities do not recognize children born outside wedlock, emphasizing the importance of a man paying a bride price to claim his offspring. Since men cannot bear children, marrying them would serve no purpose in continuing the family line.
On the other hand, women marrying women has a specific purpose in Igbo culture. One significant reason is the need for procreation. If a woman fails to bear children for her husband before his death, Igbo tradition permits her to marry another woman. This new wife is expected to bear children in the name of the late husband, ensuring the continuity of the family lineage.
Another scenario involves a woman designated to bear children in her father’s name. If she fails to conceive or give birth to male children, she is allowed to marry a woman who will fulfill this role.
The responsibility for procreation in woman-to-woman marriage is determined through mutual agreement. Both women involved decide who will be responsible for fathering the children, either choosing from the husband’s kindred or from outside.
While this practice has advantages like ensuring lineage continuity, it has drawbacks. Woman-to-woman marriages are believed to contribute to promiscuity, sometimes leading to the neglect of the main family. Issues such as the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and the potential exploitation of vulnerable women also arise.
Importantly, woman-to-woman marriage in Igbo culture is distinct from lesbianism. In Igbo tradition, it does not involve a sexual relationship between the women; instead, they seek male partners outside the marriage for such purposes. Understanding these cultural practices sheds light on the complexities and nuances within Igbo marriage traditions.
Kenechukwu Maduike
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Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of denying the agitator access to his legal team and visitors, in violation of existing court orders.
Ejimakor expressed growing concern over Kanu’s health and wellbeing following the DSS’s latest refusal to allow his legal team to see him. The incident occurred during a routine visit to the DSS headquarters in Abuja on October 14, 2024, as part of a court-ordered visitation schedule.
“We were blocked from seeing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in direct violation of subsisting court orders,” Ejimakor revealed in a statement. He further noted that Kanu has been denied visitors since his last court appearance on September 24, 2024, when the IPOB leader demanded that Justice Binta Nyako recuse herself from his case due to a lack of confidence. Although the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, overruled the recusal, the DSS has consistently blocked access to Kanu since then.
Ejimakor raised alarms about the DSS’s actions, suggesting that they may be related to Kanu’s successful bid to have Justice Nyako step down, even though her recusal was later overturned. He added that previous attempts to enforce court compliance through legal applications have been ignored, leaving the impression that the DSS is acting above the law.
“The DSS should remember that court-ordered visitations are meant for Kanu’s relatives and lawyers to ensure his wellbeing. Now that access has been completely denied, one must ask: What is the DSS hiding? Is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hale and hearty?” Ejimakor questioned.
This latest development has fueled ongoing tensions, as the legal battle surrounding Kanu’s trial intensifies, with the DSS facing increasing criticism for defying judicial orders and infringing on Kanu’s rights.
Three kidnappers suspected to have attempted to kidnap the wife of a member of the Delta State House of Assembly have been killed by the police in a fierce gun duel.
According to the information on PUNCH Metro, it was gathered that the hoodlums had failed in an attempt to kidnap the woman on September 2, 2024, at the Okoloba Junction, Jakpa Road, Uvwie, where the suspected kidnappers killed two policemen and the driver, Mr. David Imela, during the incident.
However, the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed this to the PUNCH Metro on Sunday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
He said, “Following the failed attempted kidnap of the wife of one of the members of Delta State House of Assembly where the suspected kidnappers murdered two Mobile Policemen and the driver, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a water-tight deployment around Warri and its environs as well as narrowing the roads and blockage of all exit points.
“Police operatives of the Ebrumede Division led by the DPO CSP Iwok Ndifereke strategically deployed and created an artificial hold-up at the DSC Roundabout and sighted the vehicle as described with a matching registration number.
“On noticing the traffic and sighting the policemen, the hoodlums opened fire on the team which the team equally responded professionally owing to the busy nature of the area.”
He said the hoodlums immediately abandoned the vehicle shattered with bullets and escaped with bullet injuries while three AK-47 rifles and their operational vehicle with registration no. WWR-436-GZ were recovered.
According to Edafe, the CP who was not satisfied with their escape, directed that the DPO Ebrumede should go all out and ensure the suspects were arrested and brought to book.
“Armed with available information and exhibits found in the abandoned vehicle, on October 3, 2024, the DPO Ebrumede Division, CSP Iwok Ndifereke, led operatives to their hideout in Agbarho where the police engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel.
“The policemen who prepared for the battle ahead overpowered the hoodlums, three of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped and another AK-47 rifle was also recovered.
“The suspects were taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead. A manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing,” he said.
Edafe said Olufemi also commended the bravery the DPO and his men displayed during the operation and urged other officers and men of the command to emulate them.
The Ogun State police command on Monday said that its Igbeba Division, Ijebu-Ode, arrested one Shedrack Olawale Olayemi, who had been on the police wanted list for armed robbery and alleged rape of some female students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, in July.
The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Monday.
Odutola said that Olayemi was picked up after an intelligence report revealed that the 33-year-old alleged armed robber and rapist was sighted at the university area, Ijagun, where he has been trying to conceal his identity.
The statement said, “The divisional police officer of Igbeba Division has arrested a wanted notorious suspect for armed robbery.
“Following a tip-off, that one Olayemi Olawale Shedrack, aged 33 was sighted in Ijagun, trying to conceal himself among other citizens, but his identity was immediately confirmed by intelligence, and the police were contacted. In swift action, he was apprehended.
“Olayemi Olawale Shedrack has been on the police search for armed robbery and rape. He was fingered as the prime suspect for an alleged crime of armed robbery and rape in which he participated actively on the 21st of July, 2024, where he and his cohort broke into a female Royal Villa accommodation area in Tai University of Education Ijagun, where he robbed harmless female students of their luxury educational devices, including laptops, iPhones, sports wristwatches and cash, and further had unlawful carnal knowledge of the innocent female student and has since fled.”
The police said that a preliminary investigation has commenced, and the suspect has been immediately taken to the Igbeba police station for interrogation and will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.
