Lifestyle

THE JOY AND STRUGGLE OF MARRIAGE IN SOUTH SUDAN

January 3, 2022

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Marriage is a catalyst for societal growth; it forms the smallest unit of society through reproduction. Different ethnic groups and cultures have different methods of conducting marriages. The Dinka people of South Sudan along sides other cultures are no exception to having the peculiar customs of marriage.

The concept of paying bride price is a widespread custom in Africa, though the method of payment may differ from culture to culture, it however remains a ritual that must be carried out before the marriage happens.

For the people of South Sudan, the traditional currencies for paying bride prices are cows and goats; this practice is most common among the Dinka, Mundari, Nuer, and Teposa tribes, an online report says. It is gathered that young men that can’t afford to pay many cattle feel embarrassed.

Paying huge numbers of cattle to the bride’s family also means that the intending groom is rich and a first-class citizen. Sadly, this practice has led several young men into cattle rustling just to meet up with the demand and to protect their pride, and also prove their love to their brides.

The tradition of livestock currency has again pushed several young men to marry at an older age while they take younger (underage) girls as brides. This is because they spend most of their lives acquiring cattle to pay up for their brides. The least number of cattle a young man is expected to pay as the bride price is 20 and it goes as high as 300 or more.

Another custom of the Dinka people in the four years of freedom the bride has after marriage. Though her bride price is paid, the custom allows the bride a four years period without cooking or doing any chores. The period is referred to as “Anyuuc” which means “generous welcoming”. During this period, the groom’s sisters do all the chores in the house.

After the four years is over, the husband will throw a big party called “thaat” a cooking festival to usher her into cooking for her husband and the family. In that party, three cows and five goats are slaughtered, however, if her husband misbehaves during the Anyuuc period, the wife can leave and her bride price mustn’t be returned to her husband. Most women would wish this very practice is part of their tradition because of relieve and freedom that comes with it.

Also popular among the Dinka and Nuer people is the practice of ghost weddings. A situation where a woman is married to a dead man; in most cases, the ghost marriage happens when the groom passes on shortly before the marriage. Interestingly, these women are not seen as widows but rather as fully married women.

During the ceremony, the brother of the deceased will stand in for his brother, and after the wedding, he takes up the responsibility of a husband to her but then again, her brother-in-law cannot refer to her as his wife. She can also however have children with her brother-in-law but they are referred to as children of the late husband/brother.

Although ghost marriage is part of their culture, the ceremony has declined due to modernization and education. The ghost marriage tradition practice is not vibrant as it used to be in the past; however, some ethnic groups in South Sudan still find it very necessary to preserve the culture as they still practice it.

Most women dislike the ghost wedding tradition, but others see it as means of maintaining their wealth other than sharing it with a man or losing it in a regular marriage.

Our culture in Africa signifies our identities. However, there is a need for some regulations in the practice of these traditions. South Sudan, only got its independence in 2011 after decades of civil war, the political system is fragile and the government will struggle to enforce new rules about bride prices because many families are living below the poverty line and the bride prices are just a means to get out of poverty.

Author: Kangmwa Gofwen

Lagos Bureau Chief, Nigeria

gofwenjoy@gmail.com