The Price Of Womanhood: A Study Of Myth And Tradition In Emecheta’s The Bride Price

Abstract

The Bride Price is an African work set in Nigeria and focuses on the conflict between the traditional practices and the colonialism and the life of a young girl as she is torn between what is expected of her and what is expected of her culture. The novel deals with issues of identity, gender roles, and even the influence of superstition, specifically, the idea of bride price that is both a literal and symbolic display of submission of women to patriarchal standards. The main character is a young girl who was brought up on the assumption that her value would be measured by the bride-price which she would fetch to her family when she gets married. This cultural practice is intertwined with other myths and superstitions such as the curse of ogbanje and the use of voodoo, and make her life even more difficult.

As the protagonist tries to find her way through this oppressive system she develops a relationship that goes against the societal limits but the relationship is confronted by overwhelming obstacles based on tradition. Her tragic death is eventually caused by the refusal to take the bride price and the superstitions associated with it. The novel, through this story, condemns the negative influence of strong cultural habits on the lives of individuals, especially women, and highlights the psychological binding power that myths and traditions may have. It also holds a ray of hope of coming out of these traditions and it may be personal freedom which is sometimes attained at high price.