Bride Price as a commercial transaction in PNG should be made illegal
Bride price generally in the traditional patrilineal society was a social contract- an exhibition of wealth and sign of tribal unity in the spirit of mutual respect and harmony. The present changes in socio-economic conditions, urban migration, and the cash economy now means that wives are bought in the commercial sense of the word. The distortion of bride price as a traditional concept means this once intergral part of our culture is slowly and inevitably changing into a 'commercial industry.'
In saying that, I would exemplify the modern day concept of bride price to that of a commercial transaction wherein the bride is the “product” the bride’s family are the “sellers” and the bridegroom and his family are the “buyers”.
So is bride price a form of discrimination in the 21st Century? Yes it is. It is a form of allowable discrimination, because it is permitted by virtue of its recognition through custom which is a source of law under the Constitution, although on one hand you have the Constitution providing in unequivocal terms, the notion of equality of citizens.
Should bride price be made illegal? Yes. This is a primitive culture that serves no purpose in the society other than commercial gains. The end result in practical terms economically cripples the man’s ability to only focus his financial attention on the best interest of the family and children.
I believe the timing is right. Culture has evolved to an extent that the influence of the modern world has changed the concept of bride price. We need to put a stop to bride price or better still have a law to regulate it so as to ensure the 'traditional element' of the same is still preserved. If we do nothing, I am afraid the world outside is increasingly commercialized, the practice of bride price will lose its traditional nature thus succumbbing to a new commercial ideology as yet another business industry.
Trainer/Assessor with NES Fircroft in Lihir Mine
7 年Salem ya ino gutpela PNG traim na lusim na sanisim pasin
Geologist/Toastmaster
7 年Very interesting post Mathew Adadikam. You have correctly defined brideprice as “an exhibition of wealth and sign of tribal unity in the spirit of mutual respect and harmony”. A decision to pay brideprice stems out of a mutual understanding between the man and the bride’s family because it involves participation from both sides. Exhibition of wealth was, and is still part of this custom. The only difference is that shells where used in the past and that have now being replaced by our modern kina. I believe the word commercial pops up because this “exhibition of wealth” is abused in this modern day whereby some brideprice are paid in excessive amounts, which may be, to some extent, motivated by gaining a high social status in the community or maintaining the status quo of current brideprice amounts. And I would agree with you that it would be a good idea to regulate it, so we maintain our custom and be reasonable when paying brideprice, and not make families live in debt post-brideprice. So despite the size of this “exhibition of wealth”, brideprice should achieve its objective of honoring the marriage and strengthening mutual respect and understanding between the two families. I will have to say that there is no selling or buying in brideprice ceremonies, and brides are not products but mutual partners. I guess one has to bring into context the intention of paying brideprice. If it’s for monetary gain more than strengthening mutual respect and understanding, than it can be called “commercial”.
LLB (Hons) , UPNG | LLM (UK)| Lawyer – Litigation and Arbitration
7 年Our mindset and attitude is deeply entrenched within the cultural complexities that we say define us. If there is anything, education and religion ought to change our mindset. The days of cannibalism, tribal warfare and selling of women in exchange for tribal peace (to name a few) are over.
Management Accountant
7 年I think its time now we do away with it! it truley doest serve any purpose! I will not sell my daughter! money na cargo nonap baim displa love ya! its proceless!