The Bride Price is the poignant love story of Aku-nna, a young Ibo girl, and Chike, the son of a prosperous former slave. They are drawn together despite the obstacles standing between them and their happiness, defying even the traditions of tribal life. Aku-nna flees an unwanted marriage to join Chike, only to have her uncle refuse the required bride price from Chike's family. This refusal leads to Aku-nna's haunting fear that she will die in childbirth, the fate, according to tribal lore, awaiting every young girl whose bride price is not paid.