The Sunday News
QUESTION
So I bought her for fifteen Shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. (Hosea 3:2.) Examine this verse in relation with the concept of dowry or lobola in Zimbabwe?(25)
COMMENT OVERVIEW
THE above question might be knew to some of us, the above question will be fully answered on this ongoing article. It is wise every time to define the key words or answering different fundamental questions.
(a ) Who was Hosea?
(b) What happened In Chapter 3?
(c) What Is lobola/dowry?
(d) What Are the positive effects ff paying lobola?
SUGGESTED ANSWERS
Chapter 3 of the book of Hosea is a debate among scholars, as some scholars argue that the wife in chapter 3 was not necessarily Gomer but another wife, the above view has been supported by Stuart in page 75 in his work on the book of Hosea. However, some scholars support the view that the wife was Gomer because of the phrase “go again” and the fact that the wife is not named. This has been further supported by Constable page 26 paragraph 3. There are so many reasons why Hosea might have paid bride price to Gomer, some scholars believe that Hosea perhaps wanted to marry Gomer permanently (an idea of buying the wife), as Gomer was well known of going back to her lovers, this is evidenced in Hosea 2:5. However, it is believed that it was a way which Hosea used to deal with Gomer. This can be further supported by the punishment which Gomer experienced after the second marriage, even the items which Hosea used in paying the bride price was of a less value, this has been supported by Hosea page 26 who believes that 15 shekels was equivalent to the value of a dead slave, barley was food for cattle.
In Zimbabwean context, lobola or dowry is greatly important, various items can be used to pay lobola or dowry.
Media has recorded different stories concerning the payment of lobola. The books of ATR have been authored indicating the items used to pay lobola during the marriage rites and it’s significance. These include cattle, goats, grain and more. Each and every item used to pay lobola is important. Paying lobola has positive effects, this is the reason why it is very important in Zimbabwean context. This is further supported by A CHIWARA and N T TARINGA in their work entitled “Phenomenology of Religion” page 67, they submitted that payment of lobola or dowry is important as it prohibits divorce. Paying lobola or dowry cements the relationship between two different families. All this indicates that paying lobola or dowry is important in Zimbabwean context.
Payment of lobola or dowry is well supported as some people believe that the partners gets blessings from the parents, this might be the reason why the idea is well supported by the parents. It should be noted that payment of lobola makes the wife have pride in the marriage and have a sense of belonging, this might be the reason why the married wife goes on to fight against “illegal wives”, “small houses” if there are any. All this as a result of payment of lobola in Zimbabwean context.
NB: THERE ARE SO MANY POINTS WHICH CAN BE ADDED — as a sign of commitment.
HOWEVER PART
It should be noted that failing to pay lobola or dowry affects the patners, this is also emphasised during the marriage rites. Negative effects include the wife being treated as a servant by either the relatives or the husband. This has been recorded several times by media where it is said that aunts ill treat the daughter-in-law. Sis Noe of Bulawayo24.com’s Chat with Sis Noe in 2016 on the month of July published an article which had a similar story, the victim wrote that she was looking for a new man who is serious and the reason was that she was experiencing ill treatment from the relatives even the husband who was well-known of coming back home in late hours. Perhaps this was a result of non-payment of lobola. All this indicates that failing to pay lobola has negative effects.
Failing to pay lobola sometimes causes conflict in Zimbabwean context, specifically during burials.Media has recorded that a number of the funerals have been disturbed because of non-payment of lobola. In one incident the relatives of the deceased had to hide all materials which were to be used for the burial, some were seen sleeping inside the grave as they were demanding lobola. Everyone was confused. All this was a result of non-payment of lobola. Hence, indicating that non-payment of lobola leads to conflicts between involved families.
NB: THERE ARE SO MANY POINTS WHICH CAN BE ADDED.
QUESTION DEMANDS
Witness Dingani is an author, columnist, youth coach, radio host and cricketer. He is the founder of charity organisation “Dingani Charity Organisation”. In 2016 he was nominated one of the most influential youthful figures in Zimbabwe and was voted 8th position out of 15 people by the Pan-Zimbabwe society. In 2017, Witness Dingani co-authored the new Lower 6 book, entitled “Understanding Family and Religious Studies”. Questions by schools can be submitted through his mobile number +263777896159 or email address: [email protected]. Readers can follow the Questions and Answers on Sunday News every week.
