Throughout Jewish history, there’s been a minhag of the Kallah’s family giving the Chosson a dowry. Where does this tradition stem from?
Nichsei Melug. Part of the reason of the Kesubah is as a pre-nup that she gets anything she brought into the marriage, including lands used to support her.
If she does bring in Nichsei Melug, then she can sit in her own chambers and knit, with the husband responsible to support her.