South Sudan - A ‘marriage competition’ and record price that divided the nation: Florence Mettiaux / The Guardian
This is the story of a controversial marriage in South Sudan that has sparked national debate. Athiak Dau Riak, a 14-year-old girl, was given as a wife to Chol Marol Deng, for a payment of 123 cattle, 120m South Sudanese pounds (about $44,000 or £33,000) in cash and a plot of land, she was dubbed “the most expensive bride in South Sudan".
Click here for the article and photos in The Guardian
The wedding followed a social media frenzy and the competition between two suitors in their 40s who live outside South Sudan - Marial Garang Jil and Chol Marol Deng, two South Sudanese men in their 40s who come from two different Dinka clans in Jonglei.
While the marriage has been celebrated by some as a reaffirmation of Dinka culture, others have condemned it as a form of child marriage. South Sudan's Child Act prohibits early and forced marriage.
The wedding followed a social media frenzy and the competition between two suitors in their 40s who live outside South Sudan - Marial Garang Jil and Chol Marol Deng, two South Sudanese men in their 40s who come from two different Dinka clans in Jonglei.
While the marriage has been celebrated by some as a reaffirmation of Dinka culture, others have condemned it as a form of child marriage. South Sudan's Child Act prohibits early and forced marriage.
Great story Viviane. Reminds me of the tale of Helen of Troy, whose beauty in poetry "launched a thousand ships"...Here Athiak launched an international competition for her hand in marriage! She certainly is a prize to covet.
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