Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

lobola

British  
/ lɔːˈbɔːlə, ləˈbəʊ- /

noun

  1. (in southern Africa) an African custom by which a bridegroom's family makes a payment in cattle or cash to the bride's family shortly before the marriage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lobola

from Nguni ukulobola to give the bride price

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The bride-price, known as lobola, had already been paid in cattle - a prized asset in Zulu culture.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2025

Unlike the king's other wives, her lobola, or bride price, of about 300 cattle was paid for by the Zulu nation, following a collection within communities.

From BBC • May 5, 2021

“I mean were they married in the Marriage Court, lobola or what?”

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

He must also determine lobola, the bride- price, which is paid by the groom to the bride’s family.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

The regent brooked no discussion: the bride had already been selected and lobola paid.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela