Meghan Voight Part Two Ms. Clear Mod: 12-13

In the book A Girl Named Disaster the people in Nhamo’s village are Shona people. They have special words and different ways of doing things. They celebrate different things and have customs unlike our own. One of their customs it that they have a bride price that the man must pay for the woman's hand in marriage.

In Shona it is called Roora. The bride price is what the husband-to-be pays to get married. Most of the time the bride price is cattle. More modernly they just use cash. In Shona it is called Roora. The bride price is what the husband-to-be pays to get married. Most of the time the bride price is cattle. More modernly they just use cash.

The bride price is a symbol that the man will be able to support his new wife. (financially and emotionally) It is also to bring the two families together. The bride price is a symbol that the man will be able to support his new wife. (financially and emotionally) It is also to bring the two families together.

 If the couple isn’t both financially and emotional ready the marriage can be put off for weeks or even months.  The higher the bride price, the more valuable the woman.  There can be multiple steps to get the final bride price.  The bride price is paid to the brides father.  The bride price will sometime include other gifts like clothes, food, or blankets.  If the couple isn’t both financially and emotional ready the marriage can be put off for weeks or even months.  The higher the bride price, the more valuable the woman.  There can be multiple steps to get the final bride price.  The bride price is paid to the brides father.  The bride price will sometime include other gifts like clothes, food, or blankets.

Yes. A man can have more than one wife as long as he can pay the bride price for each. So if a man is considered rich, then he will probably have more wives. Yes. A man can have more than one wife as long as he can pay the bride price for each. So if a man is considered rich, then he will probably have more wives.

 olo olo   A Girl Named Disaster By Nancy Farmer.