lobola

British  

/ lɔːˈbɔːlə, ləˈbəʊ- /

noun

1. (in southern Africa) an African custom by which a bridegroom's family makes a payment in cattle or cash to the bride's family shortly before the marriage

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Etymology

Origin of lobola

from Nguni ukulobola to give the bride price

Example Sentences

The bride-price, known as lobola, had already been paid in cattle - a prized asset in Zulu culture.

From BBC

In the case of the second wife, the academic said lobola had been paid in January 2022, but royal insiders suggest the king felt "those who went to pay didn't have the authority to do so" - plus this union has not been marked with a public ceremony.

From BBC

Unlike the king's other wives, her lobola, or bride price, of about 300 cattle was paid for by the Zulu nation, following a collection within communities.

From BBC

A bride price here is known as "lobola", where the groom's family presents either money or cows or both to the bride's family as a gesture of his willingness to marry her.

From BBC

The payment of lobola is a sign of the man's commitment to take care of his wife and is seen as a symbolic act and a necessary part of upholding culture, rather than a purchase.

From BBC