Hausa Nigerian Dowry Basket

$329.00

Hausa Nigerian Dowry Basket

– Perfect for decorating or storage hamper.

Has a nicely fitted lid and rope for carrying.

Dimensions (H) cm (D) cm

In stock

Description

Hausa Nigerian Dowry Basket

In parts of Africa, a traditional marriage ceremony depends on payment of a bride price to be valid. In Sub-Saharan Africa, bride price must be paid first in order for the couple to get permission to marry in church or in other civil ceremonies, or the marriage is not considered valid by the bride’s family. The amount can vary from a token to a great sum, real estate and other values. Lobolo (or Lobola, sometimes also known as Roora) is the same tradition in most cultures in Southern Africa Xhosa, Shona, Venda, Zulu, Ndebele etc. The amount includes a few to several herd of cattle, goats and a sum of money depending on the family. The cattle and goats constitute an integral part of the traditional marriage for ceremonial purposes during and after the original marriage ceremony.

The animals and money are not always paid all at once. Depending on the wealth of the groom he and his family can enter into a non written contract with the bride’s family similar to the Jewish Ketubah, in which he promises to pay what he owes within a specified period of time. This is done to allow young men who do not have much to marry while they work towards paying off the bride price as well as raising a family or wait for their own sisters and aunts to get married so they in turn can use the amounts received to offset their debts to their in-laws. This amount must be paid by his family in the event he is incapacitated or dies. It is considered a family debt of honor.

The wife to be will use this basket to store home items for her impending marriage.