Years back, in northern Cameroon, the bride price was a matrimonial compensation made of things and services which are destined to the parents of a girl by a suitor. This compensation paid before and after marriage depended on the behaviours of the members of both families and on the virginity and fertility of the girl. In the past, many girls got married early in life due to the fact that the bribe price was small. Today, the marriage of young girls have become uncertain or they get married in their advance ages either due to the adoption of Fulani culture, respect of the principles of contemporary religions, the introduction of money as the main medium of exchange and the emancipation of girls. These factors that have transformed the bride price culture of northern Cameroon have resulted in the multiplication of late marriages. Besides, these factors have contributed to the ageing of the girls in their natal or parental families, the increase of single parent families, the resurgence of prostitution and the legitimization of concubine relationships.
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