Final answer:
Bridewealth and dowry are two different customs related to marriages in different cultures. Bridewealth is a form of payment made by the groom's family to the bride's family, while dowry is a form of wealth brought by the bride herself.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bridewealth and dowry are two different customs related to marriages in different cultures and societies. Bridewealth, also known as bride price, is a form of payment made by the groom or his family to the bride's family. It typically involves the transfer of material and symbolic value, such as money, cattle, house goods, or jewelry. Dowry, on the other hand, is a form of material value, such as money, jewelry, or household goods, that the bride brings into her own marriage to provide her with wealth within her husband's lineage.
While bridewealth is paid by the groom's family to the bride's family, dowry is brought by the bride herself. Bridewealth is more common across cultures and is seen as a compensation for the bride's family for the loss of their daughter and her potential offspring. On the other hand, dowry is a way for the bride to have her own wealth within her husband's lineage and can be used for her own status or passed down to her own daughters.