South Sudanese man weds bride after paying $77,000 dowry in cash, 297 cows and plots of land, defeating his competitor who offered $25,000, 158 cows (video)

A South Sudanese man, Thon Chol Riak, has married his bride, Atong Aguto Monyroor in a lavish wedding ceremony after a stiff competition from a rival.

The high profile wedding ceremony took place on February 1, 2026, after months of public interest surrounding the couple’s courtship.

The marriage competition, rooted in Dinka tradition, involved public dowry negotiations including livestock, cash, land, and other valuable assets. 

Among many South Sudanese communities, marriage is seen as a union between families and clans rather than just two individuals, with cattle carrying cultural significance linked to honour and social standing. 

It all began in December 2025 when two prominent families presented extraordinary bids for the hand of Atong Aguto Pach, drawing widespread attention. 

In the stiff competition, the Awulian community supporting Mabior Abit Biar reportedly offered 158 cows, 161 goats, and dozens of sheep. The offer also included a town bungalow, seven plots of land in Juba, two vehicles and about KSh 3.2 million ($25,000) in cash.

However, the Abang community, backing Thon Chol Riak, promised 297 cows and KSh 9.9 million ($77,000) in cash, land, other assets, and educational sponsorships for two in-laws.

The scale of the offers sparked debate, with some praising the ceremony as a display of cultural identity, while others expressed concern over the rising value of dowries. 

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