Love & LOBOLA

They say you can't put a price on love, but what if you could?

- WORDS BY GEZZY S. SIBISI

Bride price is a beautiful cultural process into blissful matrimony that's been celebrated by many Africans for centuries.

But let's explore the real cost of love in the African community...

The practice of the bride price is widespread among different tribes in South Africa. In the Zulu and Xhosa cultures, it is known as i-lobola, while the Basotho and Botswana tribes refer to it as bohadi and bogadi. The relevance of the practice in the 21st century has been a topic of hot debate for many young couples who would like to get married.

Marriage in African communities is still deeply rooted in culture, with the lobola process seen as the first step for those wanting to tie the knot. However, in tough economic times, this tradition comes at great cost one that many cannot afford.

LOVE'S CULTURAL DUTY

African cultural anthropologist Aylward Shorter defined i-lobola as "a legal document signifying that the marriage has taken place and legitimates the children of the union".

According to cultural experts, there can never be a marriage without the payment of lobola, and the children involved may not be claimed by the husband unless it is paid. It is seen as a cultural requirement to be recognised by the in-laws and the ancestors.

Most men know paying i-lobola is their cultural duty; however, it is a duty riddled with a lengthy process of financial expenses over which the couple often has no power. It is usually the elders and representatives of the couple who conduct this process on their behalf. It commences with the letter sharing from the groom's family discussing the intention of marriage, and the bride's family's reply and consent for the families to meet.

A REAL-LIFE SCENARIO