Inheritance, Identity & The Female Husbands Of Igboland
Marriage, Inheritance, and Identity in Pre-Colonial Igboland
LONG before colonial rule, Igbo society was structured around lineage, land, and ancestral continuity. Names were central markers of identity, inheritance, and belonging. Within this framework, marriage did not automatically dissolve a woman’s connection to her natal family—a stark contrast to modern assumptions about gendered identity and property rights.
The Woman-to-Woman Marriage System
Ethnographic studies reveal that in Nnobi (Anambra), Ohafia (Abia), Afikpo (Ebonyi), and areas of Nsukka and Idemili, a woman without male heirs could marry another woman in a socially sanctioned arrangement known as woman-to-woman marriage. Here, the “female husband” would pay bride price and manage familial responsibilities, while a male partner would father children. The children, however, remained legally part of the maternal lineage, ensuring continuity of property and name.
This system served as a legal and social mechanism to protect family lines. It allowed women to retain their paternal names and ensured that inheritance and land rights remained within the natal family, rather than transferring to a husband’s lineage.
Beyond Misinterpretation
Modern interpretations sometimes mistake this arrangement for sexual or romantic deviation. Historical evidence indicates otherwise: the practice was pragmatic, preserving families and social order in the absence of male heirs. It reflects an adaptive, intelligent system designed to meet communal needs rather than personal preference.
The Impact of Colonialism
Colonial rule, with its rigid patriarchal and Westernized legal structures, often disrupted these indigenous practices. Missionaries and administrators labeled them unconventional, effectively erasing centuries of nuanced legal tradition and diminishing women’s social authority in Igbo communities.
Legacy and Lessons
Revisiting this history provides insight into the complexity of Igbo civilization. It demonstrates that African societies had sophisticated mechanisms for inheritance, social continuity, and gender roles—long before Western legal systems arrived. Recognizing and understanding these practices not only preserves cultural memory but also informs contemporary debates on gender, law, and social policy in Africa.
