What happens during Zulu lobola negotiations?
What happens after lobola negotiations? The moment the final lobola price is agreed upon, the uncles of the groom would meet with the family of the bride and arrange for the payment. After that is done, the groom becomes a part of the bride’s family, and a party would be thrown.
How much is lobola for a Zulu girl?
What determines lobola price? The minimum lobola to be paid is 10 cows. The bride’s family then determines what the value of 1 cow would be, and multiplies it by 10. For instance, if the standard rate for a cow is R7000, and the family determined that the bride is worth 12 cows, the lobola would be R84 000.
What is the purpose of lobola negotiations?
The primary purpose of lobola is to build relations between the respective families, as marriage is seen to be more than just a union between two individuals. The relationship is seen as life-long and in some cases, even after the death of the groom.
What is the purpose of a Zulu wedding?
One of the highlights of a traditional wedding comes when the parties from the bride’s and the groom’s families compete with each other through the medium of Zulu dance and songs. During this ceremony the family of the groom slaughters a cow to show that they are accepting the bride into their home.
What comes first between lobola and engagement?
For those who prefer that the lobola negotiations come first, it could be because it is believed that, that is how one asks for a person’s hand in marriage before proposing. So, in essence, the cows come home before anyone gets down on one knee.
How important is lobola to a Zulu wedding?
Lobola is a way for the groom to show his appreciation for how the family has raised the woman he wants to marry. It’s his way of saying thank you and it’s also compensation for the bride’s father. The groom acknowledges that he is taking her away from her family; some may say it’s an apology.
How many cows are needed for lobola?
10 cows
It is generally accepted that 10 cows, at a minimum, are required in a lobola within the Xhosa and Zulu cultures, however, differing customs within various regions may contribute in determining this amount, as well as the value of each cow.
Can lobola be refunded?
The court also found that customarily a husband is allowed to divorce an adulterous wife and then if he has paid lobola in full he is entitled to a refund of the lobola from the in-laws.
Can lobola be returned?
Lobola often takes the form of payment in the form of giving cattle to the family of the lady. The RCMA is silent as to whether lobola can be refunded or not (just like it is silent as to whether it must be paid in the first place).
Who pays for the wedding in the Zulu culture?
Fathers and uncles will drive up the ‘price’ as much as they can because traditionally the cattle used to serve as a source of financial support for the bride and any children she may have if something should happen to her husband.
What comes first lobola or Umembeso?
Umembeso is a Zulu traditional ceremony that forms part of the lobola negotiations where the groom gives gifts to bride’s parents and family before the wedding. The ceremony comes after the rapper confirmed his engagement to the mother of his child on the Metro FM Awards black carpet earlier this year.
What is lobola negotiation?
As a link between two families, lobola negotiation is a tradition that was implemented in the old days where a man pays the family of his fiancé for her hand in marriage. Although it is practised differently today, in historical times a man would pay much more for a virgin and less for a woman who had a child out of wedlock.
How to do lobola negotiations with the family of the groom?
Before the lobola negotiations can be carried out, the family of the groom must write a letter to the bride’s family to formally ask for them to meet. And while writing the letter, their intention must be clearly stated as well as the exact date when the loboba negotiations would commence.
What is the significance of lobola in South Africa?
Lobola is part of the requirements involved in getting married in South Africa. While the practice has been for long, from what has been said so far, its significance is worth continuing. However, seeing it as a means of extorting others is what prospective husbands now frown at.
How to write a lobola agreement letter?
A lobola agreement letter drafted by Legal Wise has sections such as signatories, lobola negotiations, lobola amount and payment, and refund of lobola. These are to be filled with important details about the lobola process, including the full names of the bride and groom, as well as the names of the witnesses alongside their signatures.