Igbo children generally stay with their parents until marriage, after which both husband and wife live together but apart from both their families. The Igbo people follow the 'bride wealth' system. In contrast to dowry, which is a practice prevalent in most other societies, 'bride wealth' is money and gifts given by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. 'Bride wealth' is considered a way of compensating the bride’s family for the loss of a young and productive member.
Which of the following is a use, which when 'bride wealth' is put to, will make the compensation true to its intent, in the case of the Igbo people?
A. Put it in an interest bearing account so that the family has a regular income in the form of interest.
B. Use it to get a young wife for a member of the bride’s family.
C. Use it to buy gifts for the bride.
D. Use it for the conduct of the marriage.
E. Keep it for an emergency.
Analysis: The main point to remember is: 'bride wealth' sh be used so that the compensation would be true to its 'intent'.
intent: a way of compensating the bride’s family for the loss of a young and
productive member.
The best use of the 'bride wealth' is in such an investment that the bride's family may not feel the loss of that productive member.
POE:
A. This fits the requirement. Correct.
B. This is attractive but is not warranted as the bride's family may not have a soon-to-be-groom.
C. Intent is to compensate the loss of the family. Not correct.
D. We do not know who normally pays the bills for the wedding. What if the groom's family is the one who pays? Not correct.
E. Intent is to compensate the loss of a productive member not to be prepared for emergency. Incorrect.
My answer:
A.