Should I offer my fiancee a dowry? And if so, then how much?

Question

Should I offer my fiancee a dowry? And if so, then how much?
She has MidEastern roots but she lives independent here without her family. What's your opinion, should I pay her or not??? And if so how much could be fine???

Maybe dowry is not the right word the, sorry. I mean BRIDE PRICE. I really have no idea how much a groom usually pays???

Yes I want her for all my life. We are soulmates, and as she left her own country and family, i believe she gotta be my responsibility

Answer 1

No.... don't. It is insulting.

Anyway, aren't dowrys usually paid by the female (well her family anyway) to the husband?

Answer 2

Dowries...bride price...whatever you might call it, they're all a thing of the ancient past, or at least of the third world. I'd suggest you pay absolutely nothing! If you really insist, well...

Here in South Africa, there isn't an exact "price". It all depends on the demands of the bride's family, and how much the groom earns. I've heard of cases where the groom gives a brand new car, about 10-15 heads of cattle (or more depending on the father), clothes to the mother and sisters (if any), and money ranging from R5000 to nearly R18,000 ($602 to $2250). In rare cases plots or apartments are also offered to the bride's father/family. It's called lobolo or lobola, here. Not every family practises it, though. It all depends on the head of the family.

Answer 3

Just to classify the dowry to western users, in many African cultures and eastern cultures it is the other way around, the man needs to pay the father for permission to marry his daughter.
And I think that you should ask your fiancee if her parents would think less of you if you didn't pay a dowry. Ask her if she thinks it would be suitable. In South Africa the common price is about R20 000 - which is about US$2800 - but this only happens in the african communities, in the european communities the brides parents pay for the wedding and usually a relatively expensive wedding present (like a deposit on a house).

Answer 4

The custom of the dowry was money or property provided for by the family of the bride
so the newlyweds would have something to live on.
It's not necessary for you ,the groom ,to provide a dowry for her.

Answer 5

And the crowd is right if she is of Middle Eastern descent you are going to offend by offering and possibly if asking about a Dowry.

Historically what you are looking for and asking about is the wedding rings and engagement ring. The reason they are so expensive is because if something should happen to a woman's husband then the selling of the ring should take care of her for a time.




To Ashleigh L
Dowry in Africa is as you say but in Middle Eastern Country it is the traditional manner.

Answer 6

The wifes family should be paying you the dowry. Dont let em bamboozle you into paying to them!

Answer 7

um, a dowry is paid by the woman's family to the man.

Answer 8

DUDE!!! You are in America; where a "groom" pays for eternity after the marriage ritual.Just remember... when she leaves your butt after the marrriage goes sour... she's taking half of everything you have.And a judge may tell you to pay her a monthly fee ( alimony) until she remarries. Think deep dude...ya really wanna????????

Answer 9

Well, my husband paid my family, without being asked. Anyway, mom spent all the money and more on my trousseau.

Answer 10

Yes. It is your duty to give her a dowry, irrespective of her lifestyle. The amount can vary according to your personal means. So give as much as you can afford, she is going to be your lifelong partner.