Bridewealth in Northern and Eastern Uganda: Transformations of generosity between partners and generations
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Date
2024
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IMAGENU
Abstract
Bridewealth – in different forms of gifts and services – constitutes social and economic
exchange and cohesion between families and generations that can serve to express, confirm
and acknowledge partners’ and generations’ mutual respect. Yet, bridewealth is sometimes
(mis)conceived as ‘payment’. Consequently, amounts of bridewealth have escalated over time
and many now cannot ‘afford’ marriage. A Marriage Bill has been formulated but not yet been
passed, due to political disagreements. Bridewealth in public debates is often considered from
male and older generations’ perspectives and seldom from women’s and children’s. Families,
cultural leaders and politicians all have roles to play in creating transformations. Parents can
lower their expectations and use expressions such as ‘gifts’ rather than ‘payment’, and cultural
leaders and politicians can suggest ceilings on bridewealth. Refund of bridewealth in case of
divorce is prohibited, and we recommend further enforcement of this prohibition.
Description
Keywords
Bridewealth, Northern and Eastern Uganda, Transformations, Generosity, Partners, Generations
Citation
Ejang, M., Otim, J., and Meinert, L. (2024). Bridewealth in Northern and Eastern Uganda: Transformations of generosity between partners and generations. Imagenu policy brief