Abstract
Payment of bride price is a popular tradition in Nigeria as in most parts of Africa. However, in Nigeria, the practice has virtually lost its traditional purpose of marriage validation and honouring because of the commercialisation by many parents. For this reason, some critics have called for a cancellation of the custom, as it has turned women to commodities to be bought and sold. This article examined the purpose of bride price in the traditional African setting, the changes that have crept into the practice over time, and the desirability or non-desirability of bride price payment for Christians in Nigeria. The article employed the exegetical method for the study of the relevant texts and, using the descriptive approach, it gathered and utilised material relevant for bride price payment, as practised in Nigeria. The author found that payment of bride price is not prohibited in the Bible. In the traditional African society, bride price served mainly as the legal exchange that validated marriage. It was discovered that charging exorbitant bride prices by Nigerian parents obliterated the original purpose of the custom. Commercialisation of bride price in this way is partially responsible for the increasing rate of late marriages and non-marriages amongst Christians. The inability to pay high bride prices had created a situation whereby young Christian men and women cohabit without legally getting married. Exorbitant bride price sometimes leads to domestic violence against women. It is for these reasons that some have considered payment of bride price unchristian, whilst others have called for its abolishment. Nevertheless, this study concluded that as payment of bride price is not prohibited in the Bible, it is not wrong for Christians to pay and receive bride prices. Moreover, if its traditional purpose is adhered to, payment of bride price need not cause women abuse. Its cancellation would amount to doing away with the original purpose of the practice, particularly the legitimisation and honouring of marriage. Therefore, rather than abolishing bride price, one would call for a return to its original purpose. More than recognising the value of bride price, the church in Nigeria has the responsibility to educate Christian parents on the adverse implications of charging exorbitant bride prices. Contribution: This article is a contribution in ethics of Christian marriage. It is relevant for educating Nigerian Christian parents against charging excessive bride prices.
Highlights
Bride price comprises items or money paid by an intending husband to the family of the woman he intends to marry as part of the marriage process (Sambe, Avanger & Agba 2013:5)
The aim of this study is to examine the purpose of bride price in the traditional African setting, the changes that have crept into the practice over time, and the desirability or nondesirability of bride price for Nigerian Christians
If the traditional purpose is adhered to, payment of bride price need not lead to women abuse, and it is not contrary to any biblical teaching
Summary
Bride price comprises items or money paid by an intending husband to the family of the woman he intends to marry as part of the marriage process (Sambe, Avanger & Agba 2013:5). In most parts of this region, bride price is practically necessary for marriage (Hudson & Matfess 2017:10; cf Sambe et al 2013:65). As in most parts of Africa, the practice has been linked to the involvement of women in agriculture In such places, bride price was originally intended to compensate for the loss of a daughter’s contribution to manual labour (cf Ashraf et al 2016:9; Sambe et al 2013:65) Bride price was originally intended to compensate for the loss of a daughter’s contribution to manual labour (cf. Ashraf et al 2016:9; Sambe et al 2013:65)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
