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Payment of bride-wealth in Traditional African Marriage and its importance

Answer Text:
Payment of bride-wealth in Traditional African Marriage.
Payment of bride-wealth is a necessary requirement
The payment of bride-wealth by the family of the man is an essential part of a traditional African marriage. The bride-wealth is mainly in the form of livestock, beer, grain and honey. The type and amount of wealth to be paid varies from one community to another.
Importance of bride-wealth:
(i) Bride-wealth promotes friendship and cements relationship between the two families. This is done through sharing of food and drinks
during marriage negotiations.
(ii) Payments of the bride-wealth shows that the man is serious with his intention to marry.
(iii) It acts as compensation of the girl’s family for the loss of her help and contribution in the homestead.
(iv) Bride-wealth seals the marriage covenant.
(v) It is a public expression of appreciation for the coming of a new wife and mother into the man’s family. The gifts elevate the value attached to the bride both as a person and as a wife. They signify that the wife is not something cheap or insignificant.
(vi) The bride-wealth is a symbol of the girl’s presence in her home. She continues to live with her own people but symbolically through the goods and services from her husband.