Marriage Transactions & Bridewealth

• Bridewealth is a topic discussed in Lecture 8

Marriage and Material Transactions

• Items of property and valuables are given or received when starting and formalizing new marriages, especially in African societies.
• Exchanges happen between families, like Wife-Takers (groom and his people) and Wife-Givers (bride's family).
• In Southern Ghana, the 'engagement' involves giving and taking.

Controversy

• Some criticize these transactions, believing they don't belong in modern society, while others find them justifiable.

Introduction to Engagement in Ghana

• In urban Southern Ghana, the 'engagement' involves giving and taking items before the church wedding.
• Items can be exchanged at various points in the marriage:
  • Before conjugal relations.
  • After marriage consummation.
  • After the first child's birth.
  • Later in life, post-menopause.
  • After the death of the wife or couple.
• Some societies allow settlements in installments or negotiations, varying by society.

The Coalition on Women's Manifesto

• The Coalition aims to reform customary marriage by eliminating substantial payments in money and in kind
• The issue of bridewealth concerns both men and women, particularly young men.

Controversy Surrounding Marriage Transactions

• Marriage transactions involving property exchange has faced widespread criticism.
• Some disagree with the transactions calling them outdated, others find them too expensive and demanding.
• Some people don't see any problem with the transactions.

BBC News Commentary

• Dowry is viewed as outdated and potentially contributing to slavery and forced marriage. Advocates believe it should be buried with ancestors.
• Some Nigerian woman believe dowry should continue as it formalizes an agreement and is not seen as a price tag.
• The dowry in Nigeria can be as low as 20k or less
• Dowry is perceived as tradition blessed by God via gift exchange.

Terms and Implications

• Dowry is misapplied to European, Mediterranean, and Asian practices.
• Brideprice suggests a price tag on the girl.
• Marriage Prestations is a value-neutral term.
• Marriage Payments imply payment as to what is being paid for.
• Bridewealth term was introduced by anthropologists.

Bridewealth vs Dowry

• Bridewealth is when Wife-Takers give customary items to Wife-Givers (W-T → W-G).
• Dowry is when Wife-Givers give items to Wife-Takers as part of the marriage settlement (W-G → W-T).
• Dowry can be viewed as a married daughter's share of the inheritance where daughters and sons are entitled to receive property
• Dowry is uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa but widespread in India and the Mediterranean.

Value of Bridewealth

• Bridewealth is customary and mandatory in most of sub-Saharan Africa.
• A settlement is not always mandatory or significant in all societies.
• A marriage might be considered not legitimate or socially recognized without bridewealth.
• This can cause problems for the couple and children, since they may be seen as just co-habiting.

Implications of Bridewealth

• Bridewealth gives legitimacy to the marriage and conjugal rights in the marriage. Cohabitation may lack legitimacy.
• It has documentary value and presented in front of the community.
• It compensates the bride's parents for the loss of her child-bearing potential and labor.
• The husband can claim paternity rights over children born by the wife.

Components of Bridewealth

• Bridewealth consists of an assortment of items in agreed quantities, which can vary by society
  • Livestock, such as cattle, goats, and sheep.
  • Consumables, including foodstuff and alcoholic beverages, salt, and tobacco.
  • Cash sums of money
  • Cloth in traditional and/or manufactured forms
  • Labor, like farm labour
  • Unusual items, such as cowries and metal goods.

Bride's Trousseau

• Trousseau are wedding presents of utensils and women's goods brought by a newlywed to her marital home.
• It is desirable for brides to bring a trousseau even if dowries are not customary.
• The size of a co-wife's trousseau can be a taunt during quarrels.

Trousseau and Teenage Girls

• Parents should provide a trousseau when it is expected in that culture.
• Girls from impoverished families may drop out of school for the kayayei phenomenon to afford it.
• The kayayei are searching for money to buy what they need to settle down as wives.

Pseudo-Dowry/Bridewealth

• The groom in Ghana presents items like a metal truck, cloth, trinkets, rings, and a Bible to the bride's family.
• Many items is handed over to the wife
• Wife arrives at her new home with a trousseau
• W-T (groom) gives to W-G (bride's family), who then gives to daughter (bride), then gives to W-T (husband and wife). Young men complain of the costs of these items.

Marriage Prestations in Accra: December, 2007

• 2 bottles of schnapps, 2 bottles of gin, and money are Demanded & Presented at Knocking Rites.
• Customary standard compared to engagement and church wedding demands

Engagement Rites

• Engagement rites can include the below:
  • 8 half pieces of cloth (wax prints)
  • 2 pieces of Kente cloth
  • Some scarves
  • pair local sandals (ohenema)
  • 1 Suitcase
  • 1 wooden stool
  • Asesegwa
  • 2 bottles of gin
  • 2 bottles of brandy
  • 2 bottles of whiskey
  • 2 bottles of schnapps
  • 2 crates of beer, 2 crates of soft drinks
  • 1 Bible, 1 Catholic Hymnal
  • Cloth for bride's mother, father
  • Bridal money (¢2ml), Money for bride's parents
  • Akonta sika (¢20), Handkerchiefs, ladies' accessories and engagement ring.

Potential Problem with Bridewealth

• Bridewealth becomes a problem depending on issues like these:
  • Its quantum: asking what is demanded
  • Affordability: if those involved can afford the costs
  • Availability: if items are easily available.

Bridewealth: a Problem? NOT

• If a couple cannot afford items, would they be unwedded?
• Varies on society, time or the individual.
• Bridewealth isn't always a problem.

Arguments Against Bridewealth

• It is too expensive for individuals.
• It delays marriage for men and advances that for girls.
• It leads to abuse when the wife is infertile.
• It exploits youth, where labor is involved.
• Freedoms are denied due to difficulty of divorce
• De-humanizing women from making them seem like they are commodities.
• Inter-ethnic marriages are made difficult
• These arguments are not always applicable, but they can't be removed entirely.

Note #1

• In some societies, bridewealth is merely symbolic.
• B-W is not considered wife purchase because items are not deemed equivalent to a human being.
• Bridewealth commits both sides to a marriage and can make marriages stable
• It ensures that only those who are ready for marriage do so
• Equitable distribution of marriage partners occurs

Note #2

• Societies without demanded B-W are not free such as exploitation and associated costs.
• Without B-W, parents may lose interest in a girl.
• W-G may insist on sister exchange or subservience.
• Promiscuity may be possible.

Explore marriage transactions and bridewealth customs. Understand cultural norms, gift exchanges, and the significance of bridewealth in different societies. Learn about the criticisms and functions of bridewealth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.