What does lobola mean in South Africa?
Firstly, the Act defines lobolo as “property in cash or in-kind which a prospective husband or the head of his family undertakes to give to the head of the prospective wife’s family in consideration of a customary marriage.” There is no doubt that lobolo is one of the essential requirements in terms of section 3(1)(b) …
What is lobola paid for?
In earlier times cattle were often used as payment. Today cash is accepted. However, lobola is not regarded as a purchase. The payment is thought of as a symbol of the union between the families of the bride and the groom.
What does lobola mean?
lobola in British English or lobolo (lɔːˈbɔːlə , ləˈbəʊ- ) (in southern Africa) an African custom by which a bridegroom’s family makes a payment in cattle or cash to the bride’s family shortly before the marriage. Collins English Dictionary.
What happens during lobola?
Lobola cannot be paid in full in one go, the groom’s delegation will need to come again after the first negotiations to finish paying for their bride to be. Once the Lobola has been paid in full then the next step follows which is called Izibizo, which can happen on the day when lobola negotiations are concluded.
Does lobola mean you married?
Lobola itself is not marriage, but rather a part of the process of getting married under customary law.
Is paying lobola a marriage?
Is lobola culture or tradition?
Lobola is in many Southern African countries a tradition, which is expected to be adhered by anyone who is part or want to be part of the community. It is about paying respect to the elders, the family and the community. It is a significant element of marriage among many tribes and there are strict rules to adhere.
What is the difference between dowry and lobola?
is that dowry is payment, as property or money, of a bride’s inheritance by her family to the groom or his family at the time of marriage gary ferraro & susan andreatta, cultural anthropology , 8th edn (belmont, cal: wadsworth, 2010), 223 while lobola is (south africa) the dowry paid to a bride’s family to secure a …
What does the Bible say about lobola?
Lobola symbolises, as the Bible says, that the two are now one flesh and nothing should separates them (Gen. 2:24, Mat. 19:5, Mark 10:8 and Eph. 5:31) and wish to live a life full of love, respect, joy and happiness (cf Mark 10:9; Ephesians 4:2–3; Colossians 3:14 and Ephesians 5:25–33).
Can a married man pay lobola to another woman?
The marriage must be negotiated, celebrated and entered into in accordance with customary law. Lobola is not a necessary requirement for the validity of the customary marriage, however, if it is paid, it proves that the marriage was negotiated in accordance to custom.