Answer: A dowry was to be paid to the husband's family as a sign of respect.
A dowry is a present, usually in the form of gifts or money, that is given by the parents at the marriage of a daughter. The giving of a dowry is an ancient, wide-spread practice, and it continues to exist in some areas of the world (like parts of Asia, Africa and the Balkans). The expectation of dowry is more common in cultures that are patrilineal and where women reside with their husband's family.