Cow-for-Bride Inflation in South Sudan
July 28th, 2011 by John Mansfield
“Emmanuel Gambiri said an educated wife in his cattle-herding Mundari tribe in South Sudan costs 50 cows, 60 goats and 30,000 Sudanese pounds ($12,000) in cash. [. . .] Gambiri recalls a time when wives cost as little as 12 cows and tribal chiefs wielded enough power to call the parents and set an affordable bride price.” (link)
Bookslinger
July 28, 2011
Contrast to China and India where girls are not wanted. In India, it’s actually the reverse, the bride’s parents have to come up with a dowry. Hmmm, I smell business opportunity. Supply, meet Demand.
S.P. Bailey
July 28, 2011
I suspect that the Johny Lingo approach to courtship eventually hits a point of diminishing returns …
G.
July 28, 2011
Sounds like someone’s been running the cow presses.
Vader
July 28, 2011
If I’d had to pony up all those cattle before I could marry, I would never have married.
Nevertheless, it sounds like an undesirable custom.