Tag Archives: Lobola

The Commercialisation of Lobola (the bride price) in Zimbabwe

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–– Joe Shoko

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Gone are the days when the milkman used to refill our empty bottles that were left neatly arranged at our gates, gone are the days when Coca–Cola used to taste like Coca-Cola, and gone are those days when Zimbabwe used to be the breadbasket of Africa! 

Zimbabwe – the teapot-shaped nation of Southern Africa, is but a shadow of what it once was. As goes the economy, so goes the sanity, which has only contributed to the further hardening of men’s hearts as they invariably devise more and more ways to simultaneously ‘survive’ the harsh economic environment as well as formulate new schemes to act out their rebellion against their Creator – Yahweh (Jeremiah 17:9). One such example is that of the bride price, also known as Lobola (Amalobolo) or as we say in Shona, ‘Roora’. 

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The Christian and the Bride Price (3): What are Lobola’s Weaknesses?

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 Podcast Edition HERE

For every argument in favor of lobola, its opponents have arguments against it. Here are some of the most common disagreements:

  1. Lobola Makes the Woman Feel Like Property

Some view lobola as nothing different than purchasing a car or cell phone. In modern society, because money has replaced cows regarding the payment of lobola, some say it makes the woman feel as though she is being purchased.

But some reject this argument, saying that in African languages, there are separate words for purchasing an item and paying the bride price. This proves that the woman is not being bought and sold.

Many are still unconvinced. The thinking is that if Chanda has to work a full year (or two or five) to “pay” for his wife, then we should not be surprised when Chanda treats her like property, treats her with less respect, and treats her as though she owes him something. “I don’t owe you anything,” he says. “I paid!” Continue reading →