Positive and Negative Effects of Bride-Price on the Institution of Marriage among the Mambwe People of Zambia’s Mbala District

The traditional, cultural or civic practice of ‘marriage’ is found in all human societies. Its origin can be traced back to the very beginning of human existence on earth. The importance accorded to this institution is confirmed by the common understanding that every society needs marriage and that any community that lacks marriage is bound to have its families fail (Chewe, 2013). Moreover, on the importance of this institution, Chilufya (2008), opines that the civic practice of marriage is the foundation and substance of every family and social unit in every society. Usually, marriage is embedded in various issues but of particular importance to this article is its embeddedness in cultural issues, specifically the custom of bride-price or bride payment. Drawing qualitative data from Musonda’s (2021) study entitled “the nature and scope of bride-price among the Mambwe people of Mbala District†, the article specifically focuses on both the positive and negative effects of bride payment on the institution of marriage specifically among the Mambwe people. Most scholarly studies and discourse in academia mainly engage with the aspects of how bride payment is done and its cultural significance in various ethnic groups globally. Utilizing research findings from Musonda’s (2021) study, this article departs from the aforementioned and brings to the fore a unique blend of both the positive and negative effects of bride payment to the institution of marriage particularly among the Mambwe people. Of particular heightened significance in this article, is the aspect of the negative effects of bride payment on the institution of marriage among the Mambwe because it provides a very unique or rare exposition of the dark side or unpleasant face of this common customary practice to both men and women among the Mambwe people. The article specifically perceives ‘bride payment’ from a civic perspective.