"Throughout sub-Saharan Africa the death of a father automatically entitles his side of the family to claim most, if not all, of the property he leaves behind, even if it leaves his survivors destitute."

AIDS and Custom Leave African Families Nothing
By SHARON LaFRANIERE Published: February 18, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/18/international/africa/18property.html?pagewanted=1&8bl