Normative Motivations and Constructions: Reflections on Bridewealth Payment in Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/16952Keywords:
bridewealth, normative construction, legal pluralism, normative motivations, customary marriage, gender equalityAbstract
Most traditional societies in sub-Saharan Africa have experienced diverse challenges through their encounters with forces of globalisation, such as colonialism, apartheid and the human rights movement. The legacies of these forces continue to reshape their cultural values, belief systems, practices and legal identities, often leading to their loss or transmogrification. However, the practice of bridewealth payment has survived its encounter with globalisation. Bridewealth payment is notable for its role in legitimising marriages and solidifying an alliance between the families of the bride and the groom. Its resilience amid socio-economic changes, with variations in form and quantum, is remarkable, despite accusations that it undermines women’s agency and contributes to gender-based violence. This paper uses comparative analysis of legal interventions in customary laws of marriage in South Africa and Nigeria, drawing on literature, field insights, legislation and judicial decisions to probe the normative motivations behind bridewealth’s persistence. These motivations inform how people adapt their practices to ever-changing socio-economic conditions. Furthermore, they are helpful for policymakers to understand how norms emerge, adapt and resist legislative intrusions. This paper reveals the adaptive nature of bridewealth, offering insights into the interaction between tradition and modernity. It calls for policies that are both culturally sensitive and respectful of lasting norms, while also addressing gender equity concerns. The findings reveal that bridewealth’s persistence is attributed to its function in legitimising marriages and strengthening family alliances. Its adaptations to socio-economic changes suggest that policymakers should align legal frameworks with cultural experiences to encourage inclusive development.
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Kenya CEDAW/C/KEN/CO (2011).
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