Figure 42. Dow ries in marriages
DOWRIES: AN EXPENSE SEEN AS
NECESSARY
19%
Dowries were exchanged in 81 percent of marriages
taking place in the camps (figure 42). As explored above,
dowries can be financially advantageous to a groom’s
family. They may also be seen by parents as a way to secure
a good life for a daughter. However, they frequently result
in debt on the bride’s side. The practice of offering a dowry
is a cultural rather than a religious tradition, and camp
residents are aware of this distinction. They describe it as a
long-standing custom not easily overcome.
of marriages did
not entail a dowry
81%
of marriages
entailed a dowry
Dowry amounts vary widely and often consist of a mix
of material items and cash, or material items only
(figure 43). While the vast majority of dowries were below
60,000 taka (including those with no dowry), almost one
in ten paid a dowry greater than 150,000 taka (9 percent).
Dowries are financed in various ways, with families often
pooling resources from multiple sources. Over two-thirds
of families borrowed from friends or relatives to pay the
dowry for a daughter’s marriage, and over half spent their
savings (figure 44).
401 respondents provided information about 628 marriages
Figure 44. Financing of dow ries
Family borrowed from
friends or relatives
68%
Family spent
savings
Figure 43. Value of dow ries
19%
18%
18%
Family took a loan
from a moneylender
19%
25%
Family sold land or
possessions
Family received a
remittance
No dowry
BDT
1–20,000
BDT
20,001–
40,000
52%
BDT
40,001–
60,000
> BDT
60,000
No dowry
401 respondents provided information about
628 marriages; multiple response
38%
32%
22%
21%
401 respondents provided information about 628 marriages
The dowry system can lead to heavy debt
Some camp residents are growing wary of the dowry practice, which is difficult to uphold in the camp setting.
According to a father who incurred a debt of 60,000 taka for his daughter’s dowry, “The dowry system is our
culture, not our religion. According to our religion it is not allowed. But if we don’t follow it, girls will get too old
for marriage…It would be very helpful if we could stop it.”
He explained that a dowry is a way for parents to invest in a daughter’s future. “When we were in Myanmar, it was
manageable for me to arrange my daughters’ marriages without taking any loans. After fleeing here it has become
harmful. I’m not comfortable borrowing money. Dowry demands have become habitual amongst the people. My
daughters’ marriages are shanti, peaceful. They both have good husbands. I’d be thankful to Allah if this dowry
practice could be stopped, but I could only give my daughters good marriages because of paying dowries. Not
everyone can manage it.”
“With this heavy loan, I have to think about how to manage marriage for my other two daughters,” he continued.
“So, how can we stop the dowry system? We have to consider it. I am 50 years old now, and daily labor is no
longer a suitable livelihood option for me. I need ideas, suggestions. How can I get to a third country? I don’t see
conditions getting better back in Myanmar. I think we will have to stay here for a long time.”
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