In Igbo land, Ohafia of Abia state, the ‘Ikwu nne’ is most regarded than that of the father.
It is believed that a child belongs to its mother’s people ( Ndi Ikwu nne).
People are regarded as members of their mother’s kin group( matrilineal practice) and they also inherit properties from their mother’s kin group.
According to an Ohafia folklore,
In the ancient days when Ohafia still practised patrilineal system of inheritance,
A man accidentally ki. lled one his kinsmen, he ran to his father’s people for refuge,
But they chased him away and asked him to face his fate.
He escaped to his ikwu nne ( his mother’s) people.
His mother’s people welcomed him and shielded him.
One of his mother’s sisters decided to sacrifice herself for him to make sure he stays unharmed.
The man was moved by his mother’s people,
On his dying bed, he willed all his properties to his mother’s people.
Thus, the Ohafia people believe that ‘Nneka’ mother is supreme.
This matrilineal system of inheritance exists till this day in Ohafia.
It is to this regard, that most mothers who birthed only one son,
Prefers to have their son marry outside Ohafia,
This is to make sure the children born into the family remains in the family.
