High marriage dowry price contributes to insecurity and hunger in South Sudan
By Abraham Mou Magok, Yirol, South Sudan
March 25, 2016 (SSB) —- Marriage is a union of a man and a woman in a holy bond through the grace of the Holy Spirit. It is a holy institution established by God from the beginning and confirmed by Jesus Christ. God commanded Adam and Eve that ‘’be fruitful, multiply and fill the Earth’’ (Genesis 1: 27-28). Young men lost their lives in our communities as result of cattle raiding processes and some risk their lives to raid other communities to get more cows which are used for payment of marriage dowry to multiply and fill the Earth meanwhile others from other communities lost their lives in defend of their properties.
Jesus confirmed the bond of marriage and blessed it at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. He raised the value of marriage and made it holy when answering the Pharisees about divorce. The marriages are alleged to be stabled and divorce merely occurs when the woman is unable to conceive or misbehave towards the bridegroom relatives but in this case, God showed his hatred for divorce. In Ephesians, the apostle compares the relationship of the husband to his wife to that of Christ to the Church.
There is no divorce through the will of one partner so the judicial law can grant a divorce according to the Christian law. Christianity never allows divorce except because of Adultery. God did not cancel marriage even after the flood, He blessed Noah and his sons and said ‘’ have many children so that descendants will live all over the Earth. Marriage bond only ends through the death of one of the partners where the living one could get marry again if he/she wishes. In Old Testament divorce was allowed because of the die-hardness of the hearts of people. The divorce woman who married another man was not allowed by priests to get married to the first husband in case of divorce or death of the second husband.
The regulations for making a Christian bond of marriage are as follows:
- The two partners should be both baptized Christians (2 Cor 6:14-16) Christianity forbids the marriage of a believer to a non- believer.
- The two partners should not be related by blood according to the law of the church and Holy Bible.
- Marriage should be made with the consent of both partners’ free will and freedom of both. ‘’ heritage is from father but the good wife is from God’’
- There should be a clear harmony between the partners i.e. spirit, social, cultural and material aspects of life.
However; my argument is all about used of high marriage dowry payment in marriages which are now taking place in our communities. By continue practicing these type of marriages that prevent poor youth to marry themselves then it will result into insecurity and hunger as you have witnessed it in our current situation many families are starving, sleeping with empty stomach. President of the Republic of South Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit had distributed 1,000 tractors across 28 states to fight against hunger but our people are controlled by laziness. Many of them went throughout the year without farming despite that they eat from these produces.
Therefore; I argue the traditional leaders and legislatures of Eastern Lakes State should sit down to review the dowry payment given the fact that the social norms of our society had changed as result of social changes. Although we claimed to be the best community situated in the heart of the Republic of South Sudan with plenty fertile land we are supposed to know that after time in the future our number may reduce through hunger. Many young people abandon cultivation, loitering around and some go to raid cattle from other communities to get wealth to marry daughter of so and so.
May God Bless South Sudan!
You can reach the author, Abraham Mou Magok, through his Tel: 0950000023 or email: Aluakluak Magok <aluakluak2014@gmail.com>
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