27-year old graduate committed suicide over bride price issue in Rumbek town

27-year old graduate committed suicide over bride price issue in Rumbek town

Tuesday, 15 March 2022

A 27-year-old University of Juba graduate from Rumbek East County in Lakes State committed suicide last Thursday evening after his family resolved to pay five cows as bride price to the family of his fiancees.

Mabor Mangok Tuil who intended to marry Yom Mabor, committed suicide in Rumbek town’s Akuac suburb after his family pledged only five cows as bride price to the parents of his intended. The deceased is said to have taken it as an indication that his family did not want him to marry as other suitors would offer more head of cattle in bride price, outcompeting him.

One of Mangok’s relatives, Yar Mawat Adut, told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that the family did not intend to frustrate his marriage to the woman of his choice.

“His uncle and elder brother agreed to pay bride price of five cows to the parents of the girl as the (marriage) process continues,” Yar said. “This was discussed and agreed with him (deceased) and nobody has denied him. He just ended up killing himself even without a quarrel with anyone home.”

She said Mangok called his fiancée moments before taking his life to inform her of his intention to commit suicide and he disregarded her pleas not to and that she will marry him despite the challenges he was facing.

“When his girlfriend heard this information the same (Thursday) evening, she came to us at the police station and threatened to kill herself. This is when the police asked her parents to take her back home,” Yar said.

According to Yar, the other suitors purportedly vying for Yom’s hand in marriage have not even shown up, and that someone from the Pakam section having an interest in the lady was just a rumor.