In today's marriage, certain rites must be paid before a marriage can be said to be completed, legal and religious.
These rites are our heritage. They define us and are what make us unique in our own way.
Culturally, brides price are paid by many cultures. It is a rite that civilization has no power over yet.
Over the years, attempt have been made to review the payment of pride price for many reasons.
Majorly, it's because of the engagement rites that follows it. These rites require huge amount of money in most cases and this money is something some men don't have. Some that have a
It, are not willing to spend it because they consider it a waste.
In some cases, it hinders the progress of relationships. When a man can't afford the money and the woman feels age is not on her side, the relationship will end abruptly.
Bride price, has the name suggest, is a money or material given to the bride's family by the groom and his family.
This is true for many African countries but slightly different in India. From research, bride price is paid in goods, cash, or movable property to the groom's family (in this case) as a condition of the marriage.
I'v watched many films and saw the played out. I think a good example is found in the film 'The Three Idiots'.
The crux of this article is why place much emphasis on bride price when it adds 'nothing' to the marriage?
Many men are single because they do not have money to 'waste' paying for the rites as demanded by their to be wife's family.
In some cases, many ladies are singles because their cultures demand certain things from any man who wishes to take them away in marriage.
In this scenario, some men try to save, gather enough money so as to pay for these rites. Others just give up and look for ladies whose cultures demand little as rites.
If agreement of both bride and groom parents are very important to the union, of what importance is the bride price?
We know that this has been the norm in Africa for instance but of what value or importance is this money and durable goods that a man brings to ask for a lady in marriage.
I know from experience that this money is shared by the family. These goods are also shared on the spot by same family.
They go home with excitement after drying off the pocket of the groom. Now, if these goods are shared and eaten by the family, why stress the groom?
I'm yet to understand the logic behind it because all that is originally expected for a marriage to be valid is just approval of the two parents.
I am sure many men have problem with this arrangement as regard bride price and especially those in Africa.
Let's hear from you. Do you feel this practice of bride price should still be valid today or agreement of both parents should override it?
Thanks for your time.