The last area of variation is transfer of wealth on marriage. Here, once more, we seem to have three possibilities.

Firstly we have Bridewealth, that's spelled B-R-I-D-E-W-E-A-L-T-H, Bridewealth. In this system, wealth is transferred by the husband or his relatives to the bride's family.

This of course is the system familiar in Africa. We should remember that the bridewealth may take the form of the husband's labour services to his father-in-law rather than giving cattle or money.

In some other societies, the opposite system prevails and the wife brings with her a portion or dowry, that's spelled D-O-W-R-Y, Dowry, in the form of money or other wealth such as land.

This was the system of, for example, traditional European societies, and is still practised in the Irish country side.

The third possibility is for the transfer of wealth to take the form of gifts to help the young couples set up the new household. This system is associated with the neolocal type of marriage.

In England, these gifts are called wedding presents. The near kin, that is the near relatives, of both bride and groom contribute and so do friends, neighbours and workmates.

The presents customarily take the form of useful household goods, such as saucepans, tea sets or blankets.