If the woman becomes a widow she has an official right over her husband's property till she is alive as well as willing to stay in the same family. She acts as the custodian of the property and handover to her son on attaining maturity. If the mother is blessed only with a girl child then she would continue with her right over the property till her death or remarriage. Inheritance of widows by the brothers of the deceased is also a norm among the Akas. The gifts presented to a bride during her marriage by her parents are for her personal use and under no circumstance it can be handed over can pass her property to her daughters. However in the absence of sons, the property could be inherited by husband's brothers or nearest relatives. A widow is not allowed to exercise rights over her husband's property if her marriage takes place with a man not related to her husband or she returns to her parent's family or if she is convicted on charges of extra-marital affairs. She would be deprived of her official right over the property as well would have to pay back all the bride-price to her deceased husband's relatives. Melley of Aka tribe may impose a fine on her. The bride price and the fine imposed on her are supposed to be paid by her new husband or her parents. |