What Is The Purpose Of Bride Price In Nigeria?

Bride price is a Nigerian wedding custom that is often confused with dowry, which is a property the bride invests in marriage. In traditional African society, bride price served as the legal exchange that validated marriage and was a significant part of the ceremony. In Nigeria, the official maximum rate for a bride price is 50,000 CFA francs ($83, £54), but many pay much more. The practice is a distinctive feature of African customary law marriage and is an essential element of a valid customary law.

In Nigeria, a marriage is recognized after gifts are given, and a bride price is paid by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. Understanding the bride price can help reduce challenges women face in their marital homes and promote women’s autonomy in addressing matters affecting their health.

Bride price, also known as bride-dowry, bride-wealth, bride service, or bride token, is money, property, or other form of wealth paid by a groom or his family to the woman or the family of the woman he will be married to or is just about to marry. It is equivalent to dowry paid to the groom in some cultures or used by the bride to help establish the new household.

In Nigeria, a bride price is recognized after gifts are given, and a bride price is paid by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. Understanding the purpose of bride price in traditional African settings, changes that have crept into the practice over time, and the desirability or non-desirability of bride price for Nigerian Christians is crucial.

What is the highest lobola paid?

What is lobola? Lobola costs vary a lot depending on your culture and where you live. The price of lobola in South Africa can range from R10,000 to R100,000, and even up to R400,000! I spoke to men who had recently paid lobola or were in the process of doing so to understand the general guidelines and cultural and provincial differences, as well as advice on saving and investing for this important milestone. Let’s get to it.

Factors that affect the cost of lobola. Location and province affect lobola cost. Urban areas ask for more money than rural regions.

What is the point of a dowry?

Dowry: Money or goods given to a bride by her family. In the Roman Empire, the bride’s family gave money to the groom or his family to help pay for the bride’s living expenses. In some cultures, the groom gives a gift to the bride or her family on marriage. In others, the bride gives a gift to the groom or his family. The dowry can be a gift to the in-laws or insurance for the bride. It’s something she can keep if she gets divorced. Other terms for this are “bride price” or “bridewealth.” Over time, some families used the dowry system to exploit others. What was meant to be a gift and promise of security soon became a demand that resulted in broken engagements, divorce, violence, and even death. These countries made dowries illegal. Today, the dowry is more informal and casual. It is especially common among members of the African and South Asian diasporas. It’s a way to honor a couple’s culture.

What is the role of bride price in Africa?

Bride price is a common practice in Africa. The amounts and definitions vary by area, but the practice is basically the same. Bride price is the money the groom’s family pays to the bride’s family at the start of marriage. It can be money or gifts. It is often paid all at once, but sometimes in installments. For most African families, bride price is a token of appreciation from the groom’s family to the bride’s family. Also called “lobola” (in some areas in southern Africa), lobola is seen as a sign of a man’s commitment to take care of his wife and as a way to uphold one’s culture. The bride price is called different things in different places. In Zimbabwe, it’s called “roora.” The original tradition was to give cattle, but now it is usually cash. The amount is often negotiated. In some African cultures, paying the bride price is a way of thanking the bride’s family for raising her. It does not mean the bride is “purchased.” The cost of bride price varies across Africa. In southern Botswana, the standard price is eight cows or 40,000 pula in cash, which is about 3,100 USD. In northern Botswana, it’s at least ten cows. If the bride had children out of wedlock, the figure is often lower. If the groom has a child with his bride, the bride’s family will charge him more. This is seen as disrespecting the family and damaging the bride.

What is the Lobola in Nigeria?

The lobola ceremony is a negotiation between two families to agree on the price.

Cattle were traditionally used to pay lobola. Nowadays, the payment can be in money or cattle. For example, city families might not have room for cattle. The number of cattle or their value is decided before the ceremony. It depends on the bride’s background, education, and social position. The tradition must be followed, no matter what the couple’s education or family’s finances are. Even if the groom and bride don’t belong to the same tribe, the lobola custom still applies. He must follow the bride’s culture so her family and community will recognize the marriage. The lobola ceremony varies from region to region and tribe to tribe, but it must follow strict rules. Close relatives or representatives of the families, like the maternal uncles and paternal aunts, take part in the negotiations. But usually the father and/or older men in the extended paternal family negotiate. When the groom meets the bride’s family, the lobola price is decided. The lobola must be delivered at the ceremony. The couple isn’t involved in the process, but they might be involved behind the scenes. The bride or groom can influence the negotiations through their families. Couples don’t have sex before the lobola ceremony, which is the traditional wedding. On the day of the ceremony, everyone dresses according to a specific code. In some Southern African tribes, women wear traditional dresses and blankets and scarves. Men must wear jackets.

Who pays the bride price in the Bible?

Read the verses below. Exodus 22:16-17: If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged and has sex with her, he must pay the bride price and marry her. If her father won’t give her to him, he must pay the bride-price. Apostle Israel Blessing Anthony, our IT specialist in Ghana, asked me to write this article based on a controversial question he posted on our university forum. I wrote this article to help people understand theological issues. Here is a unique biblical view about dowry. I have researched the topic of dowry payment and found many Christians, search engines, websites, and theologians who believe it is not biblical.

What is the difference between lobola and marriage?

Is lobola a custom? Lobola is money or goods given by a man to his future wife’s family in exchange for marriage. This is common among indigenous people. Lobola is part of the marriage process under customary law, not a marriage itself. What’s the difference between a customary and a civil marriage? In a customary marriage, the bride is handed over to the groom. This is different from a civil marriage. Also, customary marriages are automatically joint property, unless the couple signs an antenuptial contract before the wedding. While a civil marriage must be monogamous, polygamy is allowed in customary marriages. A customary marriage includes two people and their families. In customary law, marriage is a family matter that doesn’t need an official to be valid.

What is the difference between a dowry and a bride price?

A bride price is money or property from the groom or his family to the bride or her family. Money from the groom or his family. A dowry is money or property brought by a bride to her husband when they marry. The bride’s money or property usually comes from her family.

What is the purpose of lobola money?

Parents don’t usually take part in wedding negotiations. Other family members, like uncles, older brothers, or cousins, usually act as representatives. Lobola payments often pay for the wedding or help the bride start her own household. While more and more marriages don’t involve lobola, the custom is still common in southern Africa.

Who pays for dowry in Nigerian wedding?

Who pays for what at a Nigerian wedding? A bride price or dowry is often given from the groom’s family before the wedding. Bride prices or dowries are usually material gifts from the groom’s family to the bride’s family. These gifts are given as a symbol of appreciation for the bride’s family raising her. The bride’s family makes the list. Finally, the dowry is often seen as the groom’s answer to the question of whether he is ready to marry the bride. Esiemokhai says that other cultures often see the bride price as implying ownership of the bride. That’s not true. The bride price shows the groom’s intention to marry the bride and his love and appreciation for her family. It’s a way of saying thank you to her parents and family for raising her. The bride price is for the parents and other family members. Another sign of respect at Nigerian weddings is prostration. Prostrating at a Nigerian wedding shows respect to older family members, usually the bride’s family. The groom and his male friends usually do this at a time the MC says. This is for Igbo weddings and Yoruba weddings. The bride’s family prayed for the newlyweds’ success.

What is bride price ceremony in Nigeria?

Marriage in Nigeria is tied to religion, spirituality, and tradition. Bride price is a traditional belief in Nigeria. A brides price is money or property from the groom or grooms family to the bride’s family. This is a price given to the groom before marriage. Here are the cheapest marriage lists from five Nigerian tribes. Yoruba tribe (Western Nigeria). The Yoruba tribe is one of Nigeria’s most courteous and well-educated. Their daughters are highly valued, so they don’t demand a high bride price. Once you marry their daughter, they will see you as their son. They say they don’t sell their daughters, but rather that the bride fee is paid as per custom. You must pay the bride price, but not too much. If you pay the bride price, the parents may decide to return it.

What is the dowry system in Nigeria?

The groom and his family must give the bride and her family everything on the list before the engagement can be official. The dowry can be anything from fruit, candy, and clothes to a car. If the groom can’t provide these items, the engagement can’t go ahead.