The Anatomy of Lobola: A Custom Gone Bad?
Lobola, a custom meant to establish ties between families, is beginning to lose its value due to greed and poverty. Once a symbol of appreciation, it has become a source of income for many, leading to violence, cohabitation, and calls for its ban. This is a look at how a beautiful tradition is being ruined by commercialization.
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| The Anatomy Of Lobola |
From Custom to Commerce
Historian Aeneas Chigwedere, in his book Lobola: Pros and Cons, explains the practice was to compensate for the pain parents went through in raising their daughter. However, over the years, the practice has become a gateway to quick riches and the commodification of women. It is not surprising that long-lost relatives show up on the day of negotiations, knowing they stand to benefit.
The commercialization has become a barrier to marriage for many young men. President Robert Mugabe received over $35,000 in cash and 15 head of cattle for his daughter Bona. Former Big Brother Africa housemate Elikem Kumordzie reportedly had to save up $25,000 for Pokello Nare. How can an average suitor afford such figures when many earn less than the $540 per month poverty datum line?
The Dire Consequences
Several Zimbabweans have been beaten or lost their lives over lobola disputes. In June, a man was jailed for 12 years for axing his father-in-law, who had threatened to take back his daughter over non-payment. This is how you end up with headlines like "Man steals uncle’s two dogs to pay lobola".
According to men’s rights group Padare/Enkundleni, high cases of domestic violence can be linked to commercialized lobola, as men view women as "bought property." Marriages have also collapsed over parents' demands, with some banning their daughters from having sexual intercourse until the balance is paid. "It is no wonder that many of the youth are resorting to cohabitating," said Pastor Anglistone Sibanda.
What is the Solution?
Some have called for regulation, but analysts like Thabani Nyoni argue this is difficult. Instead, he suggests introducing the subject in formal and informal educational institutions to foster understanding. Pan-Africanist Khanyile Mlotshwa believes we must return to the initial aims of paying lobola to save it from abuse. People need to value their children’s marriages for what they are, not for what they can get out of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Originally, lobola was a customary practice meant to build relationships between two families and to serve as a gesture of appreciation from the groom for the bride's upbringing.
It has become highly commercialized. Greed and poverty have turned it from a symbolic gesture into a source of income, with some families demanding exorbitant amounts of money, making marriage unaffordable for many.
The commercialization has led to serious problems, including violent disputes over payments, an increase in cohabitation as young people cannot afford to marry, and a rise in domestic violence as some men view their wives as property they have purchased.
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