Social change and the dynamics of bridewealth practices among the Lobi in the canton of Gaoua (Burkina Faso)

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Résumé

Bridewealth constitutes a foundational element of customary marriage in sub-Saharan Africa. Among the Lobi of the canton of Gaoua (Burkina Faso), it is perceived by non-lobi communities as financially inaccessible, thereby generating intercommunal tensions. This study analyses the transformations undergone by bridewealth practices within the Lobi community under the influence of modernity and cultural intermingling. A qualitative approach was adopted, grounded in semi-structured interviews conducted with Lobi households, customary and religious authorities, as well as migrant populations residing in the canton of Gaoua. The findings reveal a progressive monetisation of the constituent elements of bridewealth, notably livestock and agricultural labour, under the influence of urbanisation, migration, wage employment, and the individualisation of social relations.

Mots-clés

Bridewealth, Customary Marriage, Social Change, Monetisation, Burkina Faso