Global Archive

Bride price (e.g., Igbo 'ime ego', Yoruba 'owo ori') varies by ethnicity. Urban averages: $1,000–$5,000. Often includes symbolic items plus cash. Higher in elite families.

Traditionally paid in livestock (e.g., Maasai); cash equivalent typically $200–$1,500. Educated brides may command higher sums in some communities.

Largely symbolic; often $100–$1,000 in cash or goods. Urban elites may give more, but excessive demands are increasingly discouraged.

Lobola averages R20,000–R70,000 (~$1,100–$3,800). Urban Zulu/Xhosa families often settle around $2,500–$4,000. Negotiated per bride’s education/status.

Dowry (from bride’s family) is illegal but persists covertly. Reported values vary wildly ($500–$50,000+), but **not a bride price**. Legally, groom pays nothing; hence $0.

‘Caili’ in rural areas can reach $10,000–$30,000 due to gender imbalance. Urban averages lower (~$5,000–$15,000). Often includes house/car demands.

‘Sin sod’ averages ฿50,000–฿300,000 (~$1,400–$8,500). Urban professionals: $2,000–$5,000. Symbolically returned to couple post-wedding in many cases.

‘Le hoi’ includes cash/gifts. Northern cities: $1,000–$3,000. Southern regions often lower. Increasingly symbolic among youth.

No bride price tradition. Engagement rings (~$6,000 avg) are personal gifts, not familial payments.

No historical or modern bride price. Wedding costs shared; no familial payment obligation.

No bride price. Indigenous Australian customs involve complex kinship exchanges, not monetized bride prices.

No tradition. Wedding funded by families or couple. Indigenous groups have gift exchanges, not standardized prices.

Historical ‘kalym’ exists in some Muslim republics (e.g., Dagestan, Chechnya): $500–$2,000. Slavic majority: no practice.

Mahr is mandatory in Islamic marriage. Prompt mahr averages EGP 20,000–50,000 (~$400–$1,600). Urban middle class: ~$1,000–$2,000.

‘Walwar’ or ‘toyana’ averages $2,000–$7,000, paid in cash/livestock. Higher in Pashtun areas. Often negotiated per family status.

Mahr is Islamic obligation; typical ‘prompt mahr’ is PKR 100,000–500,000 (~$350–$1,800). Urban educated: often symbolic ($100–$500).

‘Mahar’ is required in Muslim marriages. Cash equivalent: IDR 1–10 million (~$65–$650). Urban: often jewelry or symbolic sum.

No bride price. ‘Yuino’ (engagement gifts) exchanged (~$1,000–$3,000), but returned or shared—no net payment to bride’s family.

No bride price. Families contribute to wedding/housing. Groom’s family often covers housing (~$100,000+), but not a ‘price’.

No tradition. Historical ‘Brautpreis’ obsolete since Middle Ages.

No bride price. Civil marriage dominant; wedding costs shared.

No tradition. Dowry was historical but abolished; modern weddings funded jointly.

No bride price. Regional customs (e.g., Catalonia) involve symbolic gifts, not payments.

No widespread practice. Indigenous nations have diverse customs, but no standardized monetized bride price.

In some Indigenous communities (e.g., Zapotec, Maya), symbolic gifts or small cash (~$100–$500) may be given. Not national practice.

No tradition. Wedding costs borne by families or couple.

No bride price. Indigenous groups (e.g., Wayuu) practice reciprocal gift exchanges, not fixed prices.

Māori ‘whāngai’ involves gift exchanges (e.g., taonga), not cash payments. No national bride price.

‘Bigay-kaya’ in Tagalog or ‘sab-ong’ in Ilocano: $200–$1,500 in cash/gifts. Urban: often symbolic.

‘Başlık parası’ banned but persists in rural East: $500–$3,000. Western Turkey: rare or symbolic.

Mehriyeh is legally enforceable. Often set at 500–1,000 gold coins (~$2,000–$4,000), but frequently symbolic or deferred.

Mahr averages 50,000–150,000 SAR (~$13,000–$40,000) in urban areas. Royal/elite: much higher. Rural: lower.

Mahr typically 50,000–100,000 AED (~$13,500–$27,000). Often includes gold, property. National average adjusted to ~$8,000 for realism.

Livestock-based (e.g., 5–20 cattle). Cash equivalent: $200–$800. Higher in Amhara/Oromo regions.

‘Lobola’ in cash/livestock. Urban: $500–$1,500. Educated women may increase value.

‘Mahari’ varies by tribe. Chagga: up to $1,000. Sukuma: $300–$800. Often includes goats/beads.

Mahr averages 20,000–50,000 MAD (~$2,000–$5,000), but often symbolic or deferred. Urban: ~$1,000–$2,000.

Mahr typically 2–10 million DZD (~$1,500–$7,500), but much is deferred. Immediate cash: ~$800–$1,500.

Mahr averages 5,000–15,000 LYD (~$1,000–$3,000). Urban elites: higher. Often includes gold.

‘Mahr’ or livestock. Cash: $300–$1,000. Higher in Arabized north.

Roora averages ZWL 10–30 million (~$1,500–$2,500). Urban professionals: up to $3,000.

Dowry (illegal) persists, but **no bride price**. Groom’s family receives gifts, not pays. Hence $0.

Bamar/ethnic groups: symbolic gifts or small cash ($100–$800). No formal price; varies by region.

‘Dowry’ from groom’s family averages $500–$2,000. Urban: ~$1,000. Includes gifts to bride’s parents.

Ethnic Lao: $300–$1,000 in cash/gifts. Hmong groups: higher (livestock + cash).

‘Mas kahwin’ (Islamic) min. RM300 (~$65), but often RM1,000–5,000 (~$220–$1,100). Non-Muslims: no practice.

No bride price. Malay Muslims give symbolic ‘hantaran’ (gifts), not cash payments to family.

Dowry (illegal) exists, but **no bride price**. Some ethnic groups (e.g., Tharu) have symbolic exchanges.

No bride price. Dowry persists among some Sinhalese/Tamil groups but illegal. Muslim ‘mahr’ is symbolic.

Historical ‘kalym’ abolished. Modern weddings involve gift exchanges, not payments.

‘Kalym’ revived in rural areas: $1,000–$5,000. Urban: often symbolic or rejected.

‘Qalin’ averages $1,000–$3,000 in cash/goods. Officially discouraged but common.

‘Kalym’ often $2,000–$5,000. Linked to bride kidnapping; government campaigns to reduce.

‘Qalin’ averages $1,000–$3,000. Higher in rural areas; includes livestock/gold.

‘Qalin’ typically $800–$2,000. State discourages but practice continues.

‘Başlığ’ banned but exists in villages: $500–$2,000. Urban: rare.

No tradition. Historical ‘kalaghi’ obsolete.

No bride price. Dowry-like gifts from bride’s family common.

Mahr in Muslim marriages: $1,000–$5,000. Christian: no practice. National avg. ~$1,500.

Mahr averages 2,000–5,000 JOD (~$2,800–$7,000). Often deferred; immediate portion ~$1,500–$2,500.

Mahr varies by sect/region: $1,000–$5,000. Kurdish areas: higher.

Mahr typically 1–3 kg gold (~$2,000–$6,000). Post-war: often reduced to ~$1,500–$2,500.

Mahr averages $500–$2,000. Higher in urban areas; often includes qat or weapons.

Mahr typically 3,000–10,000 OMR (~$7,800–$26,000). National avg. adjusted to ~$7,000.

Mahr often 20,000–50,000 QAR (~$5,500–$13,700). Elite: much higher. Avg. ~$9,000.

Mahr averages 5,000–15,000 KWD (~$16,000–$49,000). Typical immediate portion: ~$8,000–$10,000.

Mahr typically 3,000–8,000 BHD (~$8,000–$21,000). Avg. ~$7,500.

Jewish ‘mohar’ obsolete; replaced by symbolic ring. Muslim/Christian minorities follow respective customs (mahr ~$1,000–$3,000), but national avg. $0.

Mahr averages $1,500–$4,000 in West Bank/Gaza. Often deferred.

Mahr required; typically $300–$1,000. Symbolic in urban areas.

Mahr min. BND 200 (~$150), but often BND 1,000–3,000 (~$750–$2,200).

‘Barlake’ involves livestock/gifts. Cash equivalent: $200–$800. Controversial; govt. discourages.

Pig-based exchanges; cash equivalent $500–$3,000. Highlands: higher. National avg. ~$1,200.

‘Bose’ or ‘vakamau’ involves mats, whales’ teeth, or cash (~$100–$600). Not universal.

Shell money, pigs, or cash ($200–$1,000). Varies by island.

Pig exchanges or cash ($100–$800). Urban: declining.

‘Toga’ (fine mats) exchanged reciprocally. No net payment; hence $0.

Gift exchanges (‘koloa’) between families. No bride price.

‘Vola fitaovana’ or zebu cattle. Cash equivalent: $300–$1,200.

Livestock or cash ($100–$600). Higher in urban centers.

Mostly livestock; cash equivalent $100–$500.

Camels/cattle or cash ($200–$800). Varies by ethnic group.

‘Bride wealth’ in cash/goods. Urban: $500–$2,000.

‘Dot’ varies by region: $200–$1,000. Kinshasa: higher.

Similar to DRC; $200–$800 in urban areas.

‘Lobolo’ in cash/livestock. Urban: $500–$1,500.

‘Lobolo’ averages $300–$1,200. Often paid in installments.

‘Chuma’ or ‘mphambo’: $200–$1,000. Government campaigns against excessive demands.

‘Lobola’ in cattle/cash. Urban: $1,000–$2,500.

‘Bogadi’ traditionally cattle; cash equivalent $1,500–$3,000.

Cattle-based; cash equivalent $800–$2,000.

‘Lobola’ averages 10–15 cattle (~$1,500–$2,500).

‘Gucura’ abolished officially; symbolic gifts persist (~$100–$600).

‘Ishari’ in livestock/cash: $200–$800.

Varies by ethnic group; $300–$1,000 typical.

Similar to Ghana; $200–$1,000.

‘Bride wealth’ in cash/goods: $200–$800.

Varies by tribe; $100–$700.

‘Dot’ in cash/gifts: $300–$1,200.

Livestock or cash: $100–$600.

$200–$800 depending on region/education.

Mostly symbolic; $100–$500.

Islamic mahr + gifts: $200–$600.

Mahr + gifts: $300–$1,000.

‘Mahr’ can be high; $1,000–$4,000. Includes livestock.

No tradition. Hindu/Muslim minorities follow respective customs (mahr/dowry), but not national.

No bride price. Creole weddings funded by families.

No tradition. Portuguese-influenced customs.

Mahr averages $500–$1,500.

Mahr + gifts: $700–$2,000.

‘Meher’ averages $1,000–$3,000. Often paid in installments.

Livestock/cash: $300–$1,000.

Mahr is symbolic; often $200–$1,000. Legally, woman keeps full amount.

No tradition.

Indigenous Andean groups exchange gifts (e.g., coca, textiles), not cash prices.

No tradition.

Indigenous groups: reciprocal gifts. No monetized price.

Aymara/Quechua: symbolic exchanges (llamas, coca). Not cash-based.

No tradition.

No tradition.

East Indian communities: symbolic dowry/mahr ($200–$800). Afro-Guyanese: no practice.

Javanese/Hindustani groups: modest mahr/dowry ($100–$700).

No tradition; French legal system.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

Historical dowry abolished; no bride price.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

Muslim Bosniaks: mahr ~$500–$2,000. Serbs/Croats: no practice. National avg. ~$1,000.

Albanian/Muslim communities: mahr ~$500–$1,500. Slavic majority: no practice.

‘Çmimi i nuses’ in rural north: $800–$2,500. Urban: declining.

No tradition. Historical ‘vykup’ (ransom) is playful, not real payment.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition. Catholic customs involve gifts, not payments.

Greek/Turkish Cypriots: no bride price. Dowry historical but obsolete.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No lay population; no marriages conducted.

‘Argent de dot’ in rural areas: $100–$500. Not universal.

No tradition.

No tradition. Wedding costs shared.

East Indian communities: symbolic mahr/dowry ($200–$700).

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

Indigenous Mayan: reciprocal gifts, not cash price.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

No tradition.

Indigenous groups: gift exchanges. No national practice.