How Dialogue, Consultation Ended 3-day Burial Tradition In Igboland — Obi Of Onitsha

The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has explained how sustained dialogue, consultation and stakeholder engagement helped bring an end to the long-standing three-day burial tradition in parts of Igboland, despite initial resistance from groups that benefited from the practice.

Igwe Achebe disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast show, ‘The Morning Brief’, where he appeared alongside the 16th Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the Emir of Shonga, His Royal Highness Dr. Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa.

Recounting developments shortly after he ascended the throne, the monarch said burial practices in Onitsha at the time were financially draining and culturally entrenched, with even churches adopting similar multi-day arrangements.

“Initially when I took the throne, we had a burial practice that even the church emulated. There was a wake-keep which was an all-night affair, then the next day would be interment, and then the next day would be thanksgiving. That’s three days of spending money,” the Obi of Onitsha said.

According to him, the growing economic burden on families prompted the traditional council to deliberate on the need for reform and introduce a more modest alternative.

“So we sat down as a council and decided that it would be 6am to 6pm, not three days,” he stated.

Igwe Achebe noted that the council was fully aware that the new guideline would be resisted, particularly by groups whose social or economic interests were tied to the extended burial ceremonies.

“But we knew we would face resistance, especially from the women groups,” he said.

Rather than imposing the decision, the monarch said the palace opted for broad consultation, engaging leaders of all affected groups to explain the rationale behind the change.

“So we invited all the group leaders and told them about it — 12 hours instead of three days,” he explained.

He added that the inclusive approach helped secure buy-in from the stakeholders, who eventually took ownership of the reform.

“We were able to convince them, so they proposed it to us,” Igwe Achebe said.

The Obi of Onitsha stressed that resistance to reform is common whenever established practices are altered, particularly when some people benefit from the status quo, but maintained that change is achievable through patience and engagement.

“With any new guidelines, the people who were benefitting from that practice would resist it. But with consultation, town hall meetings and persistence, it can be achieved,” he said.

The conversation formed part of a broader discussion on traditional leadership, reform and governance, with the royal fathers sharing insights on how cultural institutions can adapt practices to reflect changing social and economic realities.