Lobolo

Lobolo

Lobolo or Lobola ("Mahadi" in Sesotho; sometimes translated as "bride price") is a traditional southern African dowry custom whereby the man pays the family of his fiancée for her hand in marriage. The custom is aimed at bringing the two 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 primary source of wealth in African society. However, most modern urban couples have switched to using cash. The process of lobola negotiations can be long and complex, and involves many members from both the bride's and the groom's extended families. Often, to dispel any tensions between 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 make everyone feel more relaxed (it is known as "mvulamlomo", which is Xhosa for 'mouth opener').

Lobola has some unintended negative effects. It has created a financial barrier for young men looking to take a bride. It is common for a couple that is emotionally ready 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 is Lobola's opportunity cost. Young men who are in the wealth-creation stage of life feel their future is better if they invest their money elsewhere to receive significant financial returns.

Lobola is seen by some as an extravagance that has little relevance in a society where young Africans are trying to lift themselves out of inherited poverty. However, the tradition is adhered to as strongly as ever.

Gay marriage controversy

In December 2005, the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) condemned the Constitutional Court decision to legalise gay marriage, primarily because this decision would go against lobola practices. [http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1850680,00.html]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • lobolo — /loh beuh leuh/, n., pl. lobolos. a bride price, typically of cattle, paid to a bride s father among Bantu speaking tribes of southern Africa. Also, lobola. [1815 25; < Zulu (ili)lobolo, (i)lobolo (with implosive b), or a cognate Nguni word] * *… …   Universalium

  • lobolo — noun see lobola * * * /loh beuh leuh/, n., pl. lobolos. a bride price, typically of cattle, paid to a bride s father among Bantu speaking tribes of southern Africa. Also, lobola. [1815 25; < Zulu (ili)lobolo, (i)lobolo (with implosive b), or a …   Useful english dictionary

  • lobolo — lo·bo·lo …   English syllables

  • Traditionelle Eheformen in Ghana — unterscheiden sich, wie in anderen westafrikanischen Staaten auch, stark vom heutigen europäischen Ehebild, sei es christlich, islamisch oder anders geprägt. Der markanteste Unterschied zu diesen liegt dabei in der sozialen Stellung der einzelnen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Customary law in South Africa — South African customary law refers to that usually uncodified legal system developed and practiced by the indigenous communities of South Africa. Customary law has been defined as an established system of immemorial rules [...] evolved from the… …   Wikipedia

  • Sesotho nouns — Notes: *The orthography used in this and related articles is that of South Africa, not Lesotho. For a discussion of the differences between the two see the notes on Sesotho orthography. *Hovering the mouse cursor over most H:title| [ɪ talɪk] |… …   Wikipedia

  • Zulu — Infobox Ethnic group group = Zulus pop = 10,659,309 (2001 census) [http://www.southafrica.info/ess info/sa glance/demographics/census main.htm South Africa grows to 44.8 million] , on the site [http://www.southafrica.info southafrica.info]… …   Wikipedia

  • Bride price — Relationships Types …   Wikipedia

  • Dowry — A dowry (also known as trousseau or tocher or, in Latin, dos) is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage.[1][2] It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride s parents, and dower, which is property… …   Wikipedia

  • African currency — was originally formed from basic items, materials, animals and even people available in the locality to create a medium of exchange. This started to change from the seventeenth century onwards (though there is still some slavery), as European… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”