The influence of the new practices of bride price on the marriage institution among the Acoli people in Aswa county, Gulu district

Abstract

The institution of bride price has been changing over time depending on changes in society. Economic conditions, societal structures, institutions, and family characteristics have brought about these new patterns. The general objective of the study was to investigate the influence of the new practices of bride price on the marriage institution among the Acoli people.The study was guided by identifying the new patterns of bride price practices, the effect of the new practices of bride price on the marriage trends, the new practices of bride price have affected the rate of marriage today and the new practices of bride price have affected the stability of marriage. In the first objective, the study found that the institution of bride price has been changing in trends, practices, and meanings. The nature and amount of resources exchanged has also been changing over time. The study therefore concluded that whereas some communities have tended to increase the resources exchanged to exorbitant levels, others have altogether done away with it due changes in marriage and familial arrangements. In the second objective, research found that the price for legitimately marrying a bride has become extremely expensive for many young couples due to the extreme financial demands required. It was concluded that this has led to increasing unofficial marital relationships especially among the urban dwellers. In the third objective it was found that due to the changing patterns in the bride price, many young people are choosing to stay single for more than they want in order to avoid paying the hefty bride prices set by the families of their love interest. In the fourth objective, it was found out that marriage is an alliance between two families that for the bride and for the groom. It was concluded that failure to produce a bride price or account for the fine almost always means the marriage is illegitimate. The researcher recommended that the term ‘bride price’ should be replaced with the term ‘dowry’ because the term is demeaning to women. There should be better mutual understanding between the parties during the bargaining process. The changes and commercialization of bride price are mainly related to the adoption of Western norms and values of commodities. Educating communities about the traditional meaning of bride price is essential.