Just one of the most important merchandise generally essential in most traditional marriages in Africa, is the Dowry. It is the money commonly offered to the bride’s family by the gentleman who intends to marry the girl. It can also be termed as the bride value. The sum ordinarily compensated differs from 1 region to the other and from one particular tribe to the other. Some tribes in Nigeria for case in point do not gather cash as dowry, but insist on cowries or heads of cow as the bride price.
There are lots of explanations adduced for the payment of dowry in the modern day African society. Down below are seven explanations why this exercise is however be identified in most African international locations, primarily in Nigeria.
It is an African personalized
Ordinarily talking, the payment of a bride selling price each time marriages are contracted in African societies has prolonged been regarded in its entirety. It is a exercise which has very long been approved by clan heads and conventional rulers alike. The total to be paid out is generally preset by every single group and it might range sparingly relying on particular person people.
It results in steadiness in conventional marriages
It is a popular sight to see brides working away from their marital residences due to pressures from within just and without. The payment of dowry however helps to generates a steadiness within conventional marriages and for this reason stops the woman from jogging absent from her new home.
It demonstrates the person is able
It is normally assumed the payment of the bride cost is a signal of the functionality of the man who is coming for the hand of the lady. The payment of this significant merchandise through common relationship ceremonies is a severe exam of the man’s fiscal functionality and power.
Dividend of mothers and fathers exertion on their daughter
Moms and dads of the girl whose dowry is to be paid out by the male, imagine that they are reaping the dividend of the labor used in training and using care of their daughter from infancy to adulthood.
It presents the girl a feeling of value
When a lady attains the age of maturity and sooner or later receives set for relationship, her feeling of value is tremendously enhanced with the payment of bride cost. Her satisfaction is boosted with the payment, as she is assumed not to be low cost.
It is an sign that the gentleman is significant about relationship
When a guy proposes to a woman and similarly informs the moms and dads of the woman, it is assumed to be mere data until eventually the male usually takes the bold move by formally paying the bride value. Right until that singular product is finished, it is assumed the gentleman is not critical.
The Holy Bible supports the payment of dowry
When Jacob was about to get married, he was made to get the job done for seven several years as a evaluate of payment for Rachel’s bride rate. The payment of bride rate is supported by the bible and practiced by the Israelite and other selected tribes.