Critical implications of bride price of Bali Nyonga culture: A Cameroonian study

Abstract

Bride price has remained a permanent martial culture by which some women are subordinated in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study intends to critically analyse the implications of bride price practices on marriage institutions in Cameroon, with a special case of Bali Nyonga of North West Region. Stratified, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the 18 respondents (9 males and 9 females). The Roland Empowerment Framework, Feminist and Human Rights Theories were used to explain the concept of bride price. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Although they attract prominent suitors, education and virginity do not determine the bride price. While some were exposed to levirate marriages, they are required to refund bride price upon divorce. Some men are expected to pay bride price for their dead women before being allowed to bury them. For some women who are seen as real and full women bride price brings wealth and women voices to be heard. There are few families who do not receive bride price at all.

Contribution: Bride price is the sole and most relevant pre-requisite for marriage in Bali Nyonga that encompasses any other marriage requirements; it must be completely paid and refundable upon divorce. Women should form a synergy to collectively fight against harmful traditional bride price practices such as levirate marriage, collaborate with men to take part in bridal negotiation, while more women should engage in research on bride price-related issues.