i choose to believe in the literal term...the actual cost of the wife...she's a material I bought for myself, I own her. this would deter others from stealing her from me and she know who her master is! j/k.
... kekeke ...
/
In truth (to some degree -- arguably), this is not too from the actual reality (at least historically, within and throughout SEAsia, or of that era, pre-1975 and post even) -- the sole intended application, purpose, and usage of the "bride price". Why do you suppose some Hmong/Mong girls/wives, today in the USA/West, had been and were priced as high at $25K+ (and some "
greedy/stingy" parents are even arguing/fighting for those prices nowadays too; especially for the
edumacated ones; doctors, lawyers, social workers, go-go dancers etc., including the pretty/prettier ones like those
MISS Whatcha-Call-Ems -- the pageant winners/losers) ... KEKEKE ...
(Pre-USA/West, there are known records/accounts of girls/ladies, perhaps even your own mom/s, aunts, and grandmas were priced/bought for "
20-30+ Silver Bars". And that was just the "
bride price", excluding all other expenses. Who knows
how $much$ all that silver is in US-Dollars in today's market ... kekeke ...
)