The Bride Price Or Ari: In This Arunachal Tribe, The Grooms Pay Dowry

In our country, it is culturally accepted that it is the responsibility of the bride's family to bear the burden of dowry (or the so-called 'gifts') to appease the groom's family. But what if we told you there’s a place in India where the bride gets the dowry instead? The Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and their custom of Ari or the Bride Price, locally known as 'Nyirpung', literally flips the system of dowry.

Unlike the practice of dowry where brides’ families shell out money, gifts, and property, the Galo tribe does the opposite. Here, the groom’s family pays the Ari—a sum of money or gifts—to the bride and her family. According to Galo customs, it’s not about 'buying' the bride, it’s more of an honour system, showing respect for the woman entering the groom’s family. 

The Marriage System of the Galo Tribe

The marriage system of the Galo Tribe, called 'Nyim Lanam' or 'Nyib Inam' in their dialect, represents one of the most unique features of their culture.

Their tradition maintains that the groom's family should provide substantial gifts and resources to the bride's family. This practice has evolved from their deep-rooted belief that women are valuable contributors to both family and community life.

The Galo Tribe believes that there is an economic loss to the bride's family when they lose a productive member while establishing a strong social bond between the two families.

Thus, this system has played a crucial role in maintaining social harmony and gender equality within the community. The bride price tradition has also helped maintain women's status in society.

Similar Tradition: Meher (or Mahr) in Islam

The idea of paying or gifting the bride can also be found in Islam. Meher (or Mahr) is the amount a groom must give his bride at the time of marriage—not to her family, but to her personally. It’s her right, her money, and she can do whatever she wants with it.

According to Islamic law, this isn’t just a ceremonial formality, but a serious, and legally binding commitment. The amount can be big or small, but it belongs solely to the bride as a form of security and respect. Very much like Ari in the Galo tribe, Meher exists to value and empower the bride instead of treating her as a financial burden.