"Somewhere in the Sahara" lived this child of the Desert until she came to Biskra, the "Garden of Allah," to earn her dowry as a dancer. The earliest dowries were usually land entitlements, but later were attached to sentimental and decorative items as well as various commodities and even later to money.Ī DESERT FLOWER. In families that were more prestigious, however, she may have been viewed as another mouth to feed, and the dowry was an important sign of her gratitude for becoming a member of her husband's family. When a woman or girl married into a family that was agricultural, she often was welcomed as another worker.
The husband would be primarily responsible for the economic prosperity of the household, while women would care for children and the household needs. Historically most societies have had brides go to their husband's families, and often women could not legally own property. Such preparation includes not only material wealth but wisdom from her mother with regards to conjugal love and parenting, her own internal character development, and her purity as she prepares to offer herself as a virgin bride to her new husband.Ī dowry is a gift given by the bride's family to the groom and the newly formed household at the time of their marriage. The Hope Chest includes not only material items, such as quilts, linens, and utensils, but also represents the hope the girl has that her preparation will make her a good wife. The United States has developed it's own unique version of the dowry in the application of Hope Chests. In areas where it persists, especially in India, China, and Africa, there is controversy over the role it plays in domestic violence and the abuse of women, with debate over how dowries should be legislated. Today, the practice has decreased in developed countries and urban areas.
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