The Worth of a Person

Lobola or the bride price is a very sensitive topic in Africa. (See the definition in this week's drama footnote again.) It has been around since before Biblical times. Some Africans have avoided even reading this drama (The Worth of a Person) because they think a white person could never accept or understand it. Most have been surprised when they do read it.

The underlying reason for the tradition of paying Lobola is for a man to be able to demonstrate to all that he is responsible and capable of supporting a wife and family. It also puts obligation on the bride's family to ensure the marriage goes well so they won't have to return the Lobola.

Anthropologists say the bride price is actually a child price. The man is paying for the rights to the children his future wife will have. If he is not able to pay, and they get married and later divorce or the wife dies, the children will go to the wife's family because Lobola has not been paid.

As in most cases where human nature and wealth are involved, greed can take over. In some countries the price is so high it is impossible to pay. Sometimes only older men can afford to marry. Or a couple deliberately get pregnant so the marriage will be forced. Some families in Congo look at their daughters as a business. Girls are forced or pressured into marriage. I am posting on this page a study that was written about this.

So what does God's Word say about the bride price? What do you think?