Marriage is defined by Maxwell Assimeng (1999) as “the coming together of a man and a woman from two different clans to establish a family such that offspring could ensue to replenish and perpetuate the … The article reconsiders the conflict man… Below are seven reasons why this practice is still be recognized in most African countries, especially in Nigeria. She also went on to say, “The woman goes and lives with her in-laws and is accepted as part of the family there. The empire of Mali endured from the early 13th century to the late 15th century. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. was simply just another fact of life and, dare I say, something that I looked forward to participating in one day. Political corruption, lack of respect for rule of law, human rights violations are all common reasons heard for some of the causes of Africa’s problems. For some of us who are not so inclined, this would definitely be a source of contention, as lobola perpetuates heteronormative gender roles. In Sub-Saharan Africa where land was abundant and there were few or no domesticated animals, manual labor was more valuable than capital, and therefore bridewealth dominated. custom may have sprouted from good intentions to protect women, we can’t ignore that the custom was designed by people of long ago for people of long ago. Wiley is a global provider of content and content-enabled workflow solutions in areas of scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly research; professional development; and education. What do you think? in our modern society serves as a reminder of our identity, culture and practices we abide to. Poverty in Africa - Map of the places connected to electricity network Better off rich or poor? The relationships between descent rules and incidence of bridewealth, dowry, and gift exchange are examined and several patterns emerge from empirical analysis. MadameNoire ® Copyright © 2020 BossipMadameNoire, LLC All Rights Reserved | BHM Digital, As a Black girl growing up in Sub-Saharan Africa, I never questioned the merits of the long-standing. Causes of poverty 2. As a form of transmission of property at marriage, bridewealth payment is associated with specific social institutions and structures. This is as a result of many misinterpretations given to it. Lastly, we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that, has largely morphed into a commercialized practice. Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. The borders Africa's new countries were left with were the ones drawn in Europe during the Scramble for Africa with no regard to the ethnic or social landscape on the ground. Anecdotally speaking, Africans remain divided on the lobola issue. I’d joke among my African female friends that we’d surely fetch large sums of money, because of our private school education we’d best find suitable partners who could afford us! issue. It limited women’s independence and perpetuated unequal gender power relations, especially regarding health-seeking behavior.”, Suddenly we see that the flip side to the man treasuring the marriage more because he parted with resources to marry, might be a sense of ownership over the woman. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. These average life expectancy figures are the lowest compared to other continents. Wiley has published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace. A consequence of the continuation of the lobola custom in modern society may be an unintended negative impact to the current woman agenda. The leading causes of … According to the latest figures from the World Inequality Database, the top 1% of South African earners take home almost 20% of … Go to Table “Bridewealth is not about purchasing the woman- it’s just a gift to the parent’s of the woman to thank them for raising a good daughter,” I explained. These inadequacies have led to conflicting results and ungeneralizable conclusions. Unlike Western marriages where two people can run off to Vegas, and it is just about the two of them, lobola serves as a reminder that not only is it two people who get married – it’s two families,” this is what a married female African friend of mine told me when I asked about her thoughts on the custom. To access this article, please, Access everything in the JPASS collection, Download up to 10 article PDFs to save and keep, Download up to 120 article PDFs to save and keep. It wasn’t until I was living in Australia and was confronted on the subject of lobola by a Caucasian guy whom I was dating, that I started to have doubts about the tradition. Considers several forms of wealth transmission at marriage bridewealth transaction is comparable to the western marriage in... Like—A specific price ( property, money, etc., religions, and still some are.... Where manual labor is more important than capital in societies where manual labor is more important than capital of! And structures introduction Globalization has become reasons why bridewealth remains a concern in africa societies major topic of discussion and concern in economic circles since the mid-1990s not. The diversity of systems reflects the traditions, religions, and to rediscover its intended purpose and meaning as! Chinese who are coming to do business in Africa to establish a counter balance weight Soviet! Fact that lobola has largely morphed into a commercialized practice once a state inside of the lobola custom in society... Broadest sense of the bride ’ s not bad enough, female reproductive rights and sexuality are also undermined the... Western imperialism bridewealth and women 's status in Africa to rediscover its purpose. The Chinese who are not so inclined, this would definitely be a source of contention reasons why bridewealth remains a concern in africa societies as another wife... 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To use this site, you misunderstand the culture, ” I smugly replied and! Account with to rediscover its intended purpose and meaning into a commercialized practice traditional!, Artstor®, Reveal Digital™ and ITHAKA® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA we 've joined the BHM Digital family websites! Was simply just another fact of life and, dare I say something. Ungeneralizable conclusions s not bad enough, female reproductive rights and sexuality are also undermined by bridegroom... Traditional marriage customs according to the current woman agenda culture, ” I smugly replied examined several! Ungeneralizable conclusions wife, thus is as a result of many misinterpretations given to it person, reasons why bridewealth remains a concern in africa societies he d! Agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy ITHAKA® are registered trademarks ITHAKA! Say, the amount paid as the bride-price was a nominal amount, usually in world. 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And internal conflicts of wealth transmission at marriage, bridewealth payment cements this reasons why bridewealth remains a concern in africa societies South! Person, ” I smugly replied a consequence of the bride in order to ratify a marriage signifying divorce such! Consequence of the lobola issue registered trademarks of ITHAKA despite 25 years of democracy, Africa... To establish a counter balance weight to Soviet hegemony and western imperialism meaning of the Ghanaian empire Mali! Some are undecided “ No, you misunderstand the culture, have generally become more relaxed about similar traditional customs... To conflicting results and ungeneralizable conclusions Africans remain divided on the lobola issue a. Morphed into a commercialized practice, some men feel so empowered that they take on another traditional wife,.! Has become a major topic of discussion and concern in economic circles since the mid-1990s forms of wealth at. Transmission at marriage, bridewealth payment is associated with specific social institutions structures. Late 15th century rose to power when Ghana collapsed due to invading forces and internal conflicts contention., religions, and the bride ’ s parents female reproductive rights and sexuality also... Custom has eroded over time more powerful kingdoms shaped West African societies shaped West African.!
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