Final answer:
Bride wealth is the transfer of material and symbolic value from the groom's to the bride's family, often involving money, cattle, or jewelry. It serves to legitimize the marriage contract and can be paid partially before and partially after the ceremony. In the case of divorce, the bride wealth is typically returned.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bride wealth is the transfer of material and symbolic value from the groom's to the bride's family.
It can involve the transfer of money, cattle, house goods, jewelry, or ritual artifacts.
This practice is common in many cultures and serves to legitimize the marriage contract.
In some societies, a portion of the bride wealth is paid before the marriage ceremony and the remainder is paid later to maintain a respectful debt to the bride's family. If a marriage ends in divorce, the bride wealth is usually returned to signify the dissolution of the contract.
What kind of goods given by the grooms kin to the bride (or her father, who passes most of the to her) at or before marriage?