Virginity tests
The bride price or ‘the dot’ the groom pays to the bride’s family is often very high. Most women are expected to be virgins before marriage hence there is a ritual performed after marriage to ascertain if the bride is a virgin.
Women from both sides of the family pay the couple a visit after the wedding night to ascertain if the woman was a virgin. The absence of blood-stained cloth could indicate the bride is not a virgin. Also, the groom is questioned and if the answers are not satisfactory, the marriage could be annulled.
The groom can then ask for his dot back if virginity is not proved.
