Ambushing Basotho Customary Marriage

Abstract

This paper describes and evaluates Basotho customary marriage as entailed in Sesotho law. It argues that lobola (dowry) and polygamy permitted by Sesotho law are detrimental to the dignity of women, and consequently ought to be obliterated. It also argues that under customary marriage the re-marriage of widows is a barricade caused by the customary practice of the bohali (the dowry). It further argues that the long standing practice of the bohali in customary marriage perspicuously does injustice to the family of the bridegroom. Regarding polygamy allowed by customary marriage under Sesotho law it is argued that this explicitly amounts to the dehumanization of women. Ideally the paper is an attempt to rescue women from the long standing suppression by men Lesotho in as far as Basotho customary marriage is concerned.