Marriage at what cost?

Marriage is to link the two heart for a better life and to establish a new community, but in Afghanistan there are many traditional issues that are harmful for the beauty of new couple. Afghan’s Weddings are famous because of extra costs. There are hundreds and in some cases thousands of guests in Afghans wedding parties.

 

For the preparation of the wedding party the groom must accept all demands of the bride. He should welcome the famous singer, the best beauty salon and as well as the greatest hall decoration. Besides, he should buy expensive clothes and jewelleries. The most famous wedding hall with high price dinner is also mentionable.

Thus, young couples and their families are going to drown into crippling debts, which could force them to work hard in order to pay for the huge cost of hosting a wedding. Another issue is the tradition of Walwar (Bride Price) which is mostly practiced in the trible regions of Afghanistan. Walwar is the sum of money paid by the groom or his family to the head of the bride’s household. Out of this sum, the bride’s family may provide the couple with a dowry (or jahez), which usually consists of furniture and jewellery/clothes. Walwar is basically a payment to the bride’s family in consideration of the girl who is given away in marriage, and is not specifically directed to be spent on the provision of a dowry. Source: http://gupshup.org/gs/culture-arts-literature-and-linguistics/611723-walwar-bride-price.html

In some families it is usual that the boy should pay Walwar for the girl’s father before engagement. Although the custom of paying for a bride is officially unacceptable it is widely practices.

Wedding expenses have banned youth to get married. This caused them to go wrong ways. At meanwhile, it caused many youth to be addicted to drugs, which harm their health; also it can cause mental illnesses.

Fortunatly in some parts of Afghanistan, elders and religious leaders have banned expensive engagement and wedding parties. This initiative would be not only helpful for youth, but it is helpful for the whole community. It would be better that families save money for future of the new couple instead of wasting money on unnecessary things.

 

 

Mohammad Elias Hatimi

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