IDEOLOGICAL CLASHES BETWEEN FEMINISM AND BRIDE PRICE WITHIN AFRICAN ETHICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS

Traditional African marriage practices reflect a cultural uniqueness that contrasts sharply with Western approaches. Central to these practices are rites and rituals deeply rooted in custom, many of which appear to challenge contemporary feminist ideals that advocate for gender equality and women's rights across Africa. Within traditional African beliefs, a woman is often expected to be submissive and devoted to her husband: an expectation that conflicts with feminist principles. This tension raises critical questions about whether to uphold traditional customs or to reassess them in the light of evolving gender norms. The crux of this paper is to explore the foundational principles of feminism and to critically examine the extent to which feminist advocacy has influenced or hindered its objectives within the African context. In particular, the paper interrogates the cultural practice of the bride price, an essential component of many African traditional marriages, to determine whether it undermines or aligns with feminist ideals.