Mata Khan elders fix bride price at 250,000 afs

SHARAN (PAN): Tribal elders in the Mata Khan district of southeastern Paktika province have fixed the bride price — known as vulvar in local parlance — at 250,000 afghanis ($4,470).

Haji Mohammad Rasul, a tribal elder, told Pajhwok Afghan News on Sunday the rate had been much higher previously — much to the chagrin of area people.

“In the past, the bride price was agreed between the families of the bride and groom, but at times the demand was prohibitively high and hence problems for the poor,” he said.

As a result, the local reform council decided to put a ceiling on vulvar and curb lavish spending on wedding ceremonies. The meeting also decided that the consent of girls and widows should be ascertained before marriage in accordance with Islamic teachings.

Anyone violating the consensus decision would be subjected to a cash fine of 200,000 afghanis in addition to a social boycott, the elder said, hoping the move would yield positive results.

Fida Mohammad Samimyar, a Paktika Youth Cultural Society.

“Our youth often illegally travel to Iran, Dubai and other countries to earn vulvar. More often than not, they are killed and punished,” he said, explaining many youth remained unmarried for financial reasons.

Religious scholar Syed Rahimullah also welcomed the elders’ decision as a corrective measure that conformed to Islam and Afghan culture. From an Islamic viewpoint, a high bride price is illegal, according to him.

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