Final answer:
Bride wealth is a marital gift typically consisting of cattle, presented by the husband's family to the bride's family in a patrilineal society, like those in Mozambique. It legitimizes the marriage and formalizes the alliance between the two lineages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The marital gift you're referring to is known as bride wealth, which is a practice common in patrilineal societies such as those in Mozambique. This gift typically includes cattle and is presented by the husband and his family to the family of the bride. The bride wealth serves not only as a marital gift but also functions to legitimize the marriage contract and to formalize the alliance between the two lineages involved in the marriage.
In addition to cattle, bride wealth can consist of other forms of material and symbolic value, such as money, house goods, jewelry, or even symbolic ritual artifacts. It represents a shared investment and signifies the groom's respect and ongoing commitment to the bride's family. Over time, the items included in bride wealth have evolved, and modern forms can include gold jewelry, cars, furniture, appliances, and land. However, the fundamental principle behind the bride wealth remains the same: to honor and respect the bride's family and to establish a connection between the two families.