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What is a Bride Price?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: Feb 21, 2024
Views: 26,988
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A sum of money, land, livestock or other assets given to the family of a bride in some cultures is known as a bride price or bride wealth. This tradition was common in many cultures, including early biblical societies, and it continues to endure in some nations around the world, often in a token form. A bride price is not the same thing as a dowry; a dowry is given to the family of a groom by the family of the bride, and a dower is a gift from a groom to a bride, traditionally offered on the wedding day or shortly thereafter.

The tradition of a bride price might seem archaic to some people, while others believe that it served and continues to serve some valuable functions in the cultures where the tradition is used. In the first place, it associates value with women and brides by forcing grooms and their families to give something up to marry a desired woman. In some cultures, the price was also intended to compensate for the loss of a valuable female worker around the house. In addition, it may be an important part of religious expression and traditional marriage negotiations.

The Bible includes several references to this tradition, as do many other religious texts. By tradition, the bride's family sets the bride price, although some careful negotiations are involved to ensure that the price is not greedy or usurious. In modern times, some concerns have been raised about families essentially selling their daughters for their bride prices, often at a very young age. This has led to bans on this tradition in some regions, in the interest of protecting women. In other countries, the bride price may be token, rather than serious; the groom's family might give flowers to the family of the bride, for example, or donate goods and services to a charity in the name of the bride.

In some cases, compensation for a bride may also include brideservice, services undertaken for the family of the bride by the groom. Brideservice can be seen in many Western nations, although it may not be specifically identified; a groom might, for example, participate in charities which the bride favors in order to demonstrate his commitment to her.

In cultures which still practice the tradition of a bride price, the families of the bride and groom generally meet to discuss the price. Several factors go into a bride price including the desirability of the bride, skills and talents she may have, and current market trends. Once the two agree on the sum and the deal is sealed, the bride and groom are considered engaged, and entertainments of other offers are considered gauche. If the engagement is broken, the family is expected to return it, less any dowries paid.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments
By anon947738 — On Apr 27, 2014

It's good to pay a bride price because the parents for the woman had to look after her from the day one.

By SteamLouis — On May 02, 2011

I wonder what are the different reasons for why a family asks for bride price? Is it more for financial reasons or for validity?

I know in some countries it can be shameful for an engagement alliance to break and it can have negative affects on the girl's prospects for marriage in the future. So maybe the bride price is simply a way to make sure that the groom is unlikely to back off from the alliance.

By burcidi — On May 01, 2011

I read about a study in a magazine. It was about the connection between bride price and fidelity. They found that in some countries where a bride price is paid, married women were more faithful to their husbands if they received a bride price. But the husbands were not more or less faithful.

I guess, paying a bride price also gives the groom the exclusivity of intimate relations with his bride. Even though it doesn't do the same for the groom.

I don't know if this study can be taken to mean that in some countries, bride price is important and wanted by the bride also. What do you think? Would most brides desire a bride price or object to it?

By discographer — On Apr 30, 2011

Requiring a bride price and dower means that men who do not have much money will be unable to marry. I think that's a problem.

And for there to be a "market" of brides implies that a bride is like an item. The husband might treat her badly and harass her after the marriage if he has such a mindset.

I can see a lot of potential issues and problems with this practice.

By anon32055 — On May 15, 2009

Bride Price is a big problem in Uganda and beyond. We have been campaigning for a long time for its reform and are making progress, though to change culture it can take time. We won a referendum on the issue in 2001, held a conference in 2004 and pushed through an ordinance in Tororo in 2008. People are beginning to understand that women should not be purchased.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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