PEOPLES PERSPECTIVE OF WOMEN IN AFIKPO CULTURE IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Afikpo, culture, Women, EbonyiAbstract
This study examines how Afikpo people in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, view women, paying special emphasis to traditional gender roles, land ownership, and sociocultural engagement. Because inheritance rights are passed down through the male line, women in Afikpo are typically excluded from discussions, land inheritance, and decision-making procedures. Despite their substantial contributions to home economies, agriculture, and communal life, women are not allowed to buy or sell land due to cultural constraints, and male elders continue to be the only ones who may settle disputes. These behaviors institutionalize gender inequity and support male control over resources. Using historical, anthropological, and sociological viewpoints, the study places these practices within larger Igbo cultural traditions and examines how long-standing traditions maintain communal cohesiveness while also maintaining female marginalization. The study also looks at the expanding impact of modern forces that oppose patriarchal systems and progressively create new avenues for women's engagement, such as gender activism, education, and legislative reforms. The results show that although educated groups and younger generations are becoming more supportive of women's rights, traditional beliefs are still firmly held, requiring many women to balance traditional expectations with contemporary chances. The study comes to the conclusion that comprehending how people in Afikpo view women necessitates a nuanced strategy that strikes a balance between the pressing need for gender parity and traditional preservation. It emphasizes the need for ongoing discussions between tradition and reform, highlighting the part that educators, legislators, and community leaders may play in changing perceptions of women while upholding cultural identity
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