Just where is the appropriate burial place of the late Ekwueme exponent, Osinachi Nwachukwu?
The above has elicited varying reactions from a number of people with some saying she out to have been buried in her husband’s compound in conformity with the custom and tradition of Igbos.
Osinachi’s body was laid to rest in her hometown, Isochi Umunneochi in Abia State on Saturday.
The Ekwueme singer died on 8th April 2022, in Abuja. She was alleged to have been a victim of domestic violence prior to her death.
Her death was linked to her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, for which he is standing trial before a Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Meanwhile, some hold the view that it is taboo in Igbo culture to have buried the late gospel singer in her father’s compound. “She can’t rest in peace until the right thing is done”, a Facebooker, Atasie maintained.
He continued: “According to Igbo culture, custom and tradition. late Osinachi’s dead body should have been lowered to earth in her husband’s compound and not in her father’s land…It is a total desecration of Igbo culture and tradition
“Her dowry (bride price) was paid and she is legally married to her husband.
“No matter what happen nobody is allowed to carry her body back to her father’s compound while the husband is alive. This is a taboo and it is against Igbo culture.
“It is definitely gonna speak against the family in future. We should have respect for custom and tradition”, he stated.
“It is never too late. They can still dig her corpse out and bring her back to where she is legally married…..They should do that fast without hesitation to avert the wrath of the gods.
“Disobedience to the law of the land has done more harm than good. The two families should forget about their differences and do the right thing so her soul can have rest.
“I pray her family don’t suffer this in future”.
However, some other social media users wouldn’t have any of such.
“I read a post saying that it was an abomination to bury her in her father’s compound. Some people come to the blue space and make up Igbo customs as they go.
“It is never an abomination to bury a woman in her father’s family compound.
“First of all, in Osinachi’s case, her family duly paid back her bride price to the man’s family after her death. That is called divorce in Igbo culture. Even if the family didn’t return the dowry (bride price), it is still not an abomination to bury her in her father’s house. It is an abomination to bury a woman in a land that caused her misery and pains till death.
“Secondly, in the olden days, Igbo women were never buried in their husband’s house but their father’s house. This is because she belongs with her father and was only ‘loaned out’ or given out to her husband’s family for marriage. She is never her husband’s property. Having performed her customary obligations, at her death she must return home to her family.
“But now, because of the changing times, women are buried in their husband’s houses. However, her family must perform the custom called “ibute ozu nwa ‘ọkpụ”-to bring a daughter’s corpse home, so as to satisfy that customary requirement.
“If this custom and ritual are not performed during her funeral, her spirit will haunt her family and torment them.
“Once again don’t allow Christianity to brainwash you, it is never an abomination to bury a woman in her father’s house.
“If you want to learn more about the Igbo tradition and customs, go to Nri and learn and not turn Igbo tradition upside down because of Christianity”, a Twitter user pointed out.