It is 2026, and some cultural practices need to be done away with. This issue arose during a discussion with a group of friends, where one of the guys argued that certain traditions should be abandoned. To add salt to the wound, he stated that dowry payment is an archaic practice that has no place in modern society. Several women strongly defended the practice, arguing that women play a significant role in marriage and that dowry is simply a token of appreciation for their contribution. Another participant insisted that culture should not be abandoned. When I asked him, “Which culture?” he fell silent. Nonetheless, the discussion continued for nearly two hours, revisiting the origins of these practices and examining whether dowry is uniquely African or a practice found across different societies. Let us, therefore, delve briefly into history. What is the origin of dowry payment?