The paramount ruler of the Atakar community in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, His Highness, Tobias Nkom, Agwam Takad 1, has ordered payment of N10,000 as bride price for university graduates, N15,000 for secondary school leavers, and N20,000 for both primary school leavers and N10,000 for divorcees.
He said the money should be paid to the brides’ parents.
The monarch, who spoke during the 2023 A’kat cultural festival at Fadan Atakar, said bride price is usually token amounts received by parents of the bride.
“The practice of demanding high [bride] price is totally against the established Takad traditions and culture.
“The Takad Traditional Council is also against the monetization of marriage requirements. This is of great concerns as we are not selling our daughters,” the paramount ruler said.
He said the Traditional Council was aware of the rising bride prices being imposed on grooms, noting, “After due consideration of the foregoing concerns about marriage, the Takad Traditional Council wishes to announce that a primary school educated lady will attract a bride price of N20,000 or less than that amount; secondary school educated lady will attract a bride price of N15,000 or less than that amount.
“Also, university or tertiary institution educated lady will attract a bride price of N10,000 only or less than that amount; and divorcees, popularly called (Suwalli) lady, will attract a dowry of N10,000 or less than that amount.
“The Takad Traditional Council is demanding immediate compliance across the Takad Chiefdom on the categories of bride price on daughters of Takad land accordingly.
“Any deviation from the stipulated bride price by parents will be seen as an outright sale of our daughters.”
