In the last rainy season, heavy flooding hit Abyei administrative Area that people gauged to the ones of 1940s.
As a result, thousands of animals died, consequently people started paying their marriage obligations in cash/money instead of cows per Dinka traditions.
Abyei FM’s ‘Umbrella Program’ on Monday 31st July sat with elders Bulabek Mijak, Duper Maluk, and chief Anei Ajak.
They said that paying dowry in cash is a temporary measure imposed by the death of cows and insecurity.
“Marrying cows is valuable for everybody will be a witness for seeing them contrary to money. People including the groom’s agemate celebrate the marching of cows to the bride’s house. Spiritual rites are performed with cows and not with money. So, we will see at some point in the future that the groom’s family will be asked to buy cows,” they explained.
Now one cow is equivalent to 150,000 South Sudanese Pounds which could be a challenge to some but love always dictates.
Young men in Abyei Area reacted to the news of cow pricing due to economic situations.
One of them said that 80% of the youth are unemployed and they would face difficulties to fulfill their marriages according to cultural demands of the society.
Mr. Lual Miyen, a regular caller from Abyei Town has urged the community to give value to money for it is safe to keep as opposed to cows that are susceptible to diseases and raids.
