By Sulaymon Ruqoya
August 24th, 2024.
Nigerian singer Brymo has voiced his strong objections to the tradition of paying a bride price, claiming it symbolizes a transfer of ownership over women rather than honoring their autonomy
In an Instagram story posted on August 23, 2024, Brymo shared his thoughts on how this practice reflects outdated views of women as property. He wrote, “I saw in a movie scene the other day where a man told a female love interest that ‘a woman that can be bought is not worth having’… and it all made sense to me without a doubt left in my mind, and that the practice of paying bride-price depicts the transfer of ownership of the bride.”
Brymo further explained that this tradition can create problems for both the bride and the groom, adding, “And I may participate nought of that, and especially because the other who was paid for may ever still choose to be as they want to afterwards…and a man expresses full ownership on things he pays for…yet a woman ain’t a thing to own or one to dictate for.”
Additionally, Brymo addressed the issue of abortion, advocating for its legalization to prevent child abandonment. He wrote, “Let abortions on all safe levels be legal, and so that folks may be enforced to stay and raise the kids they bring forth by law… and abortion being legal may then let us decide properly what child to keep.”
Brymo’s statements have sparked discussions on social media, challenging traditional views and calling for a reevaluation of women’s rights and reproductive laws in Nigeria.