Is Yandang bride price unreasonably expensive?
In present day Yandang culture, the first part of the marriage rites observed is the asking price, as stipulated by the bride's family. Afterwards, the monetary bride price is paid alongside the "mahin", (two he-goats and a fully grown ram) and the "wakonang", given to the mother inlaw. This is followed by a set of boxes filled with new clothes for the bride and in some cases new clothes are bought by the groom for the bride's parents too. After paying all these, the groom and his family are still expected to foot all the bills for the wedding ceremony. These include the refreshments for guests, reception venue, decor, bride's wedding gown, her bridesmaids dresses, and so much more.
These expenses are outrageous. I know someone who recently paid a bride price of two hundred and fifty thousand naira, minus the the "mahin" and the "wakonang". I bet that amount took up a sizable chunk of his savings.
A lot of these practices are not Yandang in origin. They are borrowed from other cultures. Some are even new traditions, like the buying of bridesmaids dresses by the groom. Buying a set of suitcases and filling them up with new clothes is also a purely Hausa tradition. These extra expensive practices put a great financial strain on the groom and his family. The introduction of paper money has also contributed to the increased cost of bride prices. In my opinion, the expensive cost of bride prices and wedding ceremonies, is the direct cause of financial ruin for many young couples.
In the past, the first marriage rite was the payment of a mou,(A valuable iron used as a legal tender). This was usually given by a suitor to his intended bride. After this, the suitor then builds a hut for his mother-in-law (wak konang). He is also given some portion of land to farm for the bride's parents. This is followed by the bride price proper of two he goats and a fully grown ram(mahin), as well as twenty eight items. These items can include hoes, axe heads, yams, beer, millet and so on. After these are done, the couple are considered to be traditionally husband and wife. The bride, with the assistance of her family and friends, then cooks a feast for her in-laws. This is referred to as (Soun Konang).
Since some people insist on keeping the bride "price" culture alive, then it is only fair for them to keep the original Yandang culture alive, and not the persent day version that has been heavily diluted by foreign cultures. If we must progress as a people, we must cast aside the aspects of culture which stagnate our progress. Bride prices should be set at reasonable and affordable prices. Also, the bride's family should contribute towards some of expenses for the wedding ceremony.
Marriage begins after the wedding ceremony, so what is the point of making young men spend so lavishly on traditional rites, only to find themselves plunged into penury and debt even before the marriage begins? When draining your in-law's pockets in the name of bride price, also remember that it is together with your daughter that he'll face the financial difficulties that lay ahead.
These expenses are outrageous. I know someone who recently paid a bride price of two hundred and fifty thousand naira, minus the the "mahin" and the "wakonang". I bet that amount took up a sizable chunk of his savings.
A lot of these practices are not Yandang in origin. They are borrowed from other cultures. Some are even new traditions, like the buying of bridesmaids dresses by the groom. Buying a set of suitcases and filling them up with new clothes is also a purely Hausa tradition. These extra expensive practices put a great financial strain on the groom and his family. The introduction of paper money has also contributed to the increased cost of bride prices. In my opinion, the expensive cost of bride prices and wedding ceremonies, is the direct cause of financial ruin for many young couples.
In the past, the first marriage rite was the payment of a mou,(A valuable iron used as a legal tender). This was usually given by a suitor to his intended bride. After this, the suitor then builds a hut for his mother-in-law (wak konang). He is also given some portion of land to farm for the bride's parents. This is followed by the bride price proper of two he goats and a fully grown ram(mahin), as well as twenty eight items. These items can include hoes, axe heads, yams, beer, millet and so on. After these are done, the couple are considered to be traditionally husband and wife. The bride, with the assistance of her family and friends, then cooks a feast for her in-laws. This is referred to as (Soun Konang).
Since some people insist on keeping the bride "price" culture alive, then it is only fair for them to keep the original Yandang culture alive, and not the persent day version that has been heavily diluted by foreign cultures. If we must progress as a people, we must cast aside the aspects of culture which stagnate our progress. Bride prices should be set at reasonable and affordable prices. Also, the bride's family should contribute towards some of expenses for the wedding ceremony.
Marriage begins after the wedding ceremony, so what is the point of making young men spend so lavishly on traditional rites, only to find themselves plunged into penury and debt even before the marriage begins? When draining your in-law's pockets in the name of bride price, also remember that it is together with your daughter that he'll face the financial difficulties that lay ahead.
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