Introduction
In most African cultures, particularly Zimbabwe, a man has always been required to pay Bride Price/Lobola/Roora to the bride’s family to formalize their marriage. This practice is stimulating numerous debates on whether it should still be practiced or not. Some argue that it is an intricate part of culture, others argue that it is a cause of women oppression whilst some argue that it is daylight robbery to men. This article unpacks the meaning of Bride Price/Lobola/Roora in the context of the Zimbabwean Shona and Ndebele cultures.
Bride Price/Lobola/Roora in the Zimbabwean Context
Bride price is a marriage ritual in which the groom pays a payment to the bride’s family. This reward typically consists of livestock, cash, and apparel. During the lobola ceremony, the bride’s family compiles a list of requirements that the groom must meet. The groom is not obligated to pay everything requested. However, the groom is obligated to pay for some of the items on the list. Zimbabwe’s two major ethnic groupings are Shona and Ndebele. The Shona refer to the payment of the bride price as Roora, and the Ndebele call it Lobola. The required materials for the payment of Roora have significantly changed with time. In Zimbabwe’s precolonial times, lobola took the form of a hoe and also cattle. However, colonization led to the use of money.
The primary goal of Roora is to reunite two families. This is because once the groom has paid a portion of the lobola, he is considered a child of the bride’s family, while the bride is also considered a daughter of the groom’s family. In Shona and Ndebele culture, lobola is a representation of traditional values and beliefs. It indicates the groom’s ability to provide for the family. It also represents the groom’s family’s esteem for the bride, as well as their appreciation to her family.
Beliefs Surrounding the Payment of Bride Price/Lobola/Roora
Due to the differences in understanding and teachings, people perceive the culture of lobola differently. Some people view lobola as an important aspect of culture and a symbolism of Ubuntu. Alternatively, others believe the custom of lobola causes women oppression in Africa. They believe that the idea of a man having to pay money to get a wife negatively portrays women as goods that can be bought and sold. Contrastingly, others believe that lobola is unfair to men as numerous men are extorted money by being charged exorbitant lobola fees.
Conclusion
Lobola is one of the most important aspects of Zimbabwean Shona and Ndebele cultures. It symbolizes unity as it works not only to unite two people but two families together. Numerous cultural groups in Africa practice the payment of lobola and these groups have different methods of lobola. Just like many cultural practices, there are numerous views and perceptions regarding lobola. This is because of different beliefs and ideological teachings since lobola is found in numerous cultures symbolizing different things.
