Have the customary traditions of bride price changed during these modern times, or has it become a show of wealth and gluttony?

Papua New Guinea is home to a rich diversity of cultural practices, with each region and province observing traditional obligations in its own unique way. One of the most widespread and longstanding customs is the bride price – a ceremony that unites the families of the bride and groom, where the groom’s family presents monetary or material gifts to the bride’s family as part of the marriage agreement. While this tradition has been passed down for generations, its meaning has evolved over time, with modern influences reshaping both its purpose and how it is perceived.

Traditionally, bride price exchanges involved items such as livestock, shell money, and garden produce given to the bride’s family. Today, however, the practice has become increasingly monetised, with large sums of cash, vehicles, and store-bought goods now replacing traditional offerings. 

According to SBS News, bride prices in PNG typically range from 2,500 Kina (AUD 1,187) to 300,000 Kina (AUD 142,481), with wealthier individuals sometimes paying up to 1 million Kina (AUD 474,934) to either denote their own status or recognise the status of the bride’s family.

According to an article by Amnesty International, this modernisation has altered the essence of the tradition and has even contributed to social issues such as domestic violence. The custom of bride price reinforces patriarchal power structures, justifying violence, and contributing to women’s economic vulnerability and displacement. The increased costs of bride price and its commodification have eroded the relational aspects of marriage, leading to a sense of ownership of the woman by her husband and his family. This can justify violence and abuse, while also making it harder for women to leave abusive situations due to the financial investment of not only her partner but his extended family and community. 

On the other hand, many people still view the bride price as a token of appreciation – a gesture from the husband’s family to honour the bride’s parents for their role in raising her and for granting her marriage into their family. From this perspective, the bride’s price symbolises respect and gratitude rather than ownership.

As PNG navigates the balance between tradition and modernity, how can we strike a balance between maintaining the cultural significance of the ceremony without encouraging its commodification? Should communities place restrictions on the amount of money that can be spent on this cultural practice and restrict the exchange of food, traditional forms of currency and household goods?