The Mahr

The intending groom is asked to offer ‘Mahr’ to his bride to be.  It may be in the form of cash or kind and even at other times as an education in hairdressing or tailoring. It is a mandatory required amount of money, possession or usually a combination of both paid by the groom to his bride to be at the time of marriage for her exclusive use. This is mentioned many time s in the Holy Quran and Hadith. Allah says “And give women their Mahr as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.”(Quran 4:4) 

In Ghana, the Mahr is most often referred to as ‘Lefe’ in local terms. It can be given in many different forms but most commonly accepted across all tribes is bags containing ‘goodies’. These include wax prints, scarves, veils, toiletries, cosmetics, shoes, bags, praying mat, sleeping mat, sponge, pail and towels amongst others. One of the most important items brought is the ‘Henna’. This is locally referred to as ‘Lele’ and it is a greenish plant which is dried and grounded to a powdery form. The henna is very significant as it is a Sunnah. Thus, it was used by the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his wives. It is applied on the body of the bride on her wedding day which reddens and sets her apart.

All these items are put in bags or suitcases and carried by members of the groom’s family to the bride’s house. The carriers usually comprise aunts, sisters, cousins and friends. The Lefe of a woman is dependent on her social status such that a woman from a high social class will have an extravagant one consisting of expensive and luxurious goods and vice versa.  On other occasions, the Mahr can be in the form of a car, house and even cattle depending on the financial capabilities of the man. Some ethnic groups demand certain types of Lefe as per their customs and traditions.

The day the Lefe is to be presented in one very much anticipated by the bride’s family. Members of the family are informed before hand to come help in welcoming and intercepting the goods. The bride is not present at this time in the house as she leaves early in the morning so as not to be seen by her in laws. Food is cooked and drinks also served much to the visitors. After eating and drinking, a representative from the man’s family declares their mission and inquires from the representative of the woman’s family to scrutinize the Mahr brought forward. One by one the goods are brought out and shown to all present. There is a usual shout of approval each time a good is shown to all present. In cases where the Mahr is incomplete, it is made known to the ‘visitors’ and a replacement is made at another date.

 

 

After all is said and done, a date is then set for the wedding ceremony to take place. Usually both families have to come into agreement on the date set and if there are possible interferences with the date, a compromise is made and the wedding ceremony is rescheduled. Thus until the wedding day, this day signifies that almost half of the marriage is in place.