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| − | [[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
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| − | [[Category:Anthropology]]
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| − | {{Images OK}}{{Submitted}}{{Approved}}{{Paid}}{{Copyedited}}
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| − | '''Bride price''' also known as '''bride wealth''' is an amount of [[money]] or [[property]] or [[wealth]] "paid" to the [[parent]]s of a woman for the right to [[marriage|marry]] their daughter. In [[anthropology|anthropological]] literature bride price has often been explained in [[market]] terms, as payment made in "exchange" for the bride's family's loss of her [[labor]] and [[fertility]] within her [[kinship]] group. It may also be understood an expression of the [[love]] the [[family]] has for their daughter, and their sincere effort to help the new family secure their future together.
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| − | ==Definitions==
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| − | '''Bride price''' or '''bride wealth''' is [[money]], [[property]], or [[wealth]] "paid" to the [[parent]]s of a woman for the right to [[marriage|marry]] their daughter. This is often confused with [[dowry]], which is paid to the groom, or used by the bride to help establish the new household, and [[dower]], which is property settled on the bride by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both dowry and bride price.
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| − | The practice of bride price may include [[brideservice]], the service rendered to the bride’s family by the bridegroom as the brideprice or part of thereof. A famous example of brideservice occurs in the Book of [[Genesis]], when [[Jacob]] labors for [[Laban]] for seven years to win [[Leah]] and another seven years to win [[Rachel]].
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| − | ==History of the tradition==
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| − | The [[Code of Hammurabi]] mentions bride price in various laws, as an established custom. It is not the paying of the bride price that is prescribed, but the regulation of various aspects:
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| − | *a man who paid the bride price but looked for another bride was not entitled to the return of it, but if it was the father of the bride who refused the match, he was.
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| − | *if a wife died without sons, her father was entitled to the return of her dowry, minus the value of the bride price.
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| − | The [[Hebrew Bible]] and [[Talmud]] mention the practice of paying a bride price to the father of a minor girl.
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| − | The practice of the bride price is found in the Bible, in the [[Old Testament]]. [[Exodus]] 22:16-17 says: <i>"If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins."</i> NIV
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| − | <i>And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.</i> KJV
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| − | [[Deuteronomy]] 22:28-29 states similarly: <i>"If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days."</i> KJV
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| − | The idea behind the bride price implied that an act of willful [[seduction]] had occurred, that at least a small amount of trickery or deception (for example, the promise of marriage) was included. The Book of Exodus illustrates an act of deception, while the verse in the Book of Deuteronomy concerns a rape. Interestingly, nearly the same price was to be paid for both violations.
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| − | The Greeks practiced bride price in archaic times, and in the ''[[Odyssey]],'' [[Telemachus]] complains of the suitors wooing his mother [[Penelope]]
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | They are too craven to go to the house of her father Icarus, that he may himself set the bride-price for his daughter, and bestow her on whom he will, even on him who finds favor in his sight.
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | The custom lasted into classical times, by which time it had been become token, less valuable than the bride's [[dowry]]. The absence of bride price in classical times distinguished the Greco-Roman society from their contemporary Indo-European peoples, such as the [[Celt]]s, as well as from the ancient Mediterranean societies.
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| − | In [[Chinese culture]], an auspicious date is selected to 'Ti Qin' (literally meaning 'propose marriage'), where both families will meet to discuss the amount of the bride price demanded, among other things. A couple of weeks before the actual wedding, the ritual of 'Guo Da Li' (literally meaning 'performing the rites') takes place (on an auspicious date of course). The groom and a [[matchmaker]] will visit the bride's family bearing gifts like wedding cakes, sweetmeats and jewelry as well as the bride price. On the actual wedding day, the bride's family will return a portion of the bride price (sometimes in the form of [[dowry]]) as a goodwill gesture.
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| − | The practice of bride price also existed in [[India]]. It occurred primarily in the lower [[caste]]s, and many families had a very hard time to have the means to provide for their daughters. It was virtually eliminated in the early twentieth century.
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| − | In parts of [[Africa]] the validity of a traditional marriage ceremony depends on the payment of a [[bride price]], which can vary from a token amount to really exorbitant figures.
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| − | ==Similar Traditions==
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| − | A similar tradition to the bride price is the ''[[Morgengabe]]'' of [[medieval]] [[Germany|Germans]], paid by the groom or his family to the bride. Its purpose was to secure the bride for widowhood, loss of other means of survival, or loss of other property. Together the ''Morgengabe'' and [[dowry]] worked to give a start in life to a young couple, and secure the bride's future. This German tradition was followed by most people in medieval and modern [[Europe]] (Western Europe being influenced by the [[human migration|migrations]] of Germanic peoples), and only in recent centuries have the dowry and ''Morgengabe'' disappeared from European law.
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| − | '''[[Mahr]]''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]) is a similar tradition in [[Islam]]ic marriage. It is a gift given by the groom to the bride. Unlike a bride price, however, it is given directly to the bride and not to her father, and it is mandated that this must be voluntary.
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| − | '''Lobola''' ('''''Mahadi''''' in [[Sesotho]]), is a similar tradition in [[southern Africa]]. It is sometimes translated as bride-price) is a traditional southern African [[dowry]] custom whereby the man pays the family of his fiancée for her hand in marriage. The custom is aimed at bringing the two families together, fostering mutual respect, and indicating that the man is capable of supporting his wife financially and emotionally.
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| − | ==Current Bride Price Traditions==
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| − | The tradition of giving bride price is still practiced in many [[Asia]]n countries although the amount changing hands is more a token amount to continue the traditional [[ritual]] then an actual price-tag attached to the bride-to-be for marriage.
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| − | In [[Afghanistan]], with ongoing [[war]], young girls have been virtually "sold" for their valuable bride price. No one is happy about this, but as it may keep their family from starvation it continues even though prohibited by Islam.
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| − | Unlike what happened in the case of [[dowry]], the bride price in India has made somewhat of a comeback, due to a shortage of women. Statistics show that there are six percent less young women available as brides than available bridgrooms among those born between 1980 to 1984, and the gap is increasong. Some speculate that the feticide of female fetuses leads to this shortage of women.
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| − | In contemporary Africa, when the economy declines and there is a change to a more urban environment, the bride price seems like a [[pension]] for aged parents. It is very controversial as parts of Africa are becoming more modernized. Some argue that it is good social policy, while others believe it encourages a [[slavery]] type situation.
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| − | In [[South Africa]], traditionally the Lobola payment was in [[cattle]] as cattle were the primary source of wealth in African society. However, most modern urban couples have switched to using cash. The process of Lobola negotiations can be long and complex, and involves many members from both the bride's and the groom's [[extended family|extended]] families. Often, to dispel any tensions between the families, a bottle of brandy is placed on the table. This is usually not drunk; it is simply a gesture to welcome the guest family and make everyone feel more relaxed (it is known as ''mvulamlomo,'' which is [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]] for 'mouth opener'). This tradition is adhered to today as strongly as ever.
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| − | However, Like other bride price situations, Lobola has numerous unintended negative side-effects. It has created a financial barrier to entry for young men looking to take a bride. It is commonplace for a couple that is [[emotion]]ally ready to commit to building a life together to stay unmarried if they do not have the financial resources to satisfy the impeding traditional ritual. For those who do have the financial means, the burning issue is Lobola's opportunity cost. Young men who are in the wealth-creation stage of life feel their future is better if they invest their money elsewhere to receive significant financial returns.
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| − | ==The tradition in popular culture==
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| − | A famous [[Telugu language|Telugu]] play ''Kanyasulkam'' (Bride Price) satirized the practice and the [[Brahmin]]ical notions that kept it alive. Though the practice no longer exists in [[India]], the play, and the movie based on it, are still extremely popular in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. Another book entitled ''The Bride Price'' by [[Nigeria]]n woman [[Buchi Emecheta]] has also gained some popularity, and tells a very human and trans-cultural tale about maintaining [[identity]].
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| − | ==References==
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| − | *Amatullah Abdullah. Nov. 28, 2005. [http://www.islamonline.net/english/Family/2005/11/article05.shtml The Bride Price: Dowry Abuse]. Islam Online. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
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| − | *Benecia L. Williams. Fall 1997. [http://english.emory.edu/Bahri/Emech.html Buchi Emecheta]. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
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| − | *China Bridal. [http://www.chinabridal.com/etiquette/guide.htm Complete Guide to Chinese Wedding]. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
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| − | *Ember, Carol R. and Melvin Ember. 2004. ''Cultural Anthropology.'' New Jersey: Pearson, Prentis Hall. ISBN 0131116363
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| − | *IRIN. July 17, 2007. [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=73272 Zimbabwe: Daughters fetch high prices as brides]. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
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| − | *Kaplan, Marion A. (Editor). 1984. ''Marriage Bargain: Women and Dowries in European History.'' Institute for Research in History. ISBN 9780866563116
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| − | *Kass, Amy A., and Leon R. 2000. ''Wing to Wing, Oar to Oar.'' Indiana, IN: Notre Dame University Press. ISBN 9780268019594
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| − | *Peter Beaumont, January 7, 2007. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1984396,00.html Starving Afghans sell girls of eight as brides] ''The Observer.'' Retrieved November 4, 2007.
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| − | *Laika Jain. SikhSpectrum website [http://www.sikhspectrum.com/022003/laika.htm] "When brides become scarce."
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| − | *Sudheer Birodkar. 1998. [http://www.hindubooks.org/sudheer_birodkar/hindu_history/practices1.html Dowry, Sati and Child Marriage]. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
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| − | {{Credits|Bride_price|83777851|Lobolo|111182172}}
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