Marriage and European Dowry Custom Essay

Lobolo or Lobola (Mahadi in Sesotho sometimes translated as bride price) is a traditional Southern African custom whereby the man stands the family of his fiancee for her hand in marriage (Compare with the European dowry custom where the woman brings assetscitation needed). The custom is aimed at bringing the twain families together, fostering mutual respect, and indicating that the man is capable of supporting his wife financially and emotionally. Traditionally the lobola payment was in cattle as cattle were the main(a) source of wealth in African society.However, most modern urban couples strike switched to using cash. The process of lobola negotiations can be long and complex, and involves some members from both the brides and the grooms extended families. Often, to dispel every tensions amid 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 attain everyone thumb more relaxed (it is kno wn as mvulamlomo, which is Xhosa for mouth opener). Lobola whitethorn have some unintended negative effects. It may have created a financial barrier for some young men looking to pull away a bride.It is common for a couple that are emotionally fast to commit to each other 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 issue can be Lobolas opportunity cost. new-made men who are in the wealth-creation stage of life may feel that their future is better secured if they invest their money elsewhere to receive real financial returns. Lobola is seen by some as an extravagance that has little relevance in a society where young Africans are trying to tog up themselves out of inherited poverty.However, the tradition is adhered to as strongly as ever, and in families where tradition and intention override greed, lobola can be a prominent way of showing commitment between families, n ot just between the bride and groom. Many traditional marriages utilise a cash-based lobola this can be and so followed by a European-style wedding ceremony, where the lobola funds are used to pay for expenses. In this way, any outlaid costs are returned to the payer in another(prenominal) form, preserving tradition, honour and finances.