Dote e partilha de bens na sociedade maranhense setecentista

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to analyze the dotal practice in Maranhão society in the XVIII century in the set of the sharing of goods, in order to understand how this practice was inserted in Maranhão society and how the families used it as an economic and power strategy, that guarantee the maintenance of the social standard through marriage. The custom of the dowry involved a set of interests among the families of the bride and groom, for marriage was a collective affair, a business where families negotiated according to their interests. The dowry functioned as a currency of exchange in these matrimonial arrangements, enabling advantageous marriages to be of a social, political or economic nature, while at the same time providing economic security for women. The dowry could also be used as anticipation of the legitimate, so women could have access to wealth, however, the administration of the dowry was under the administration of the husband who could not squander it, but not always that determination was followed, causing the woman to lose her economic security.