Goods or property presented by a man's family
to his prospective wife's as part of the
marriage agreement. It is the usual practice
among many societies in Africa, Asia, and the
Pacific, and among many American Indian
groups. In most S European and S Asian
countries the alternative custom is dowry.
Bridewealth is regarded as compensation to
the woman's family for giving her away in
marriage, and it usually means that the
children she bears will belong to her
husband's family group rather than her own.
It may require a large amount of valuables
such as livestock, shell items, or cash.