The determinants of groom price: with special reference to selected Muslim area in Ampara district

Abstract

Payments between families at the time of marriage are common practice in many areas in Sri Lanka. These payments can be substantial enough to affect the welfare of the society. Marriage payments are very high in North, Eastern and South Eastern Province in Sri Lanka. Compared with other Muslim area in Sri Lanka, these payments are very high in Muslim areas in Ampara district. These payments have risen sharply in year by year. Most probably marriages payments have paid by bride side to groom side. Groom’s Job, educational qualification, age, income and family status are the main determinants of marriage payments in the marriage market. The main objective of this study is to identify the main determinants of marriage payments for groom in marriage market in Ampara Muslim area. Data for this study has been collected by participated interview method. Regression method and descriptive statistical methods were used to analysis the data and Eviews statistical software has used to achieve this aim. Finding of this study indicate that there are several external factors such as Grooms’ professional qualification, educational qualifications, age different and groom monthly income were identified as a main determinants of groom price in marriage market in Ampara Muslim area.