The question of dowry, engagement and polygamy in the Democratic Republic of Congo divides opinions. A bill amending the family code has been submitted to deputies, sparking heated debates on the fixing of the sum that the family of the husband must pay to that of the future spouse.
The text proposed by MP Daniel Mbau Sukisa sets the amount of the dowry at 500 dollars or its equivalent in Congolese francs. This point is at the center of the concerns of several women, including the elected Solange Masumbuko. The latter affirms that the suppression of the discussion phase around the dowry would remove all the charm of “kinzonzi”, the palaver around the dowry. According to her, this debate must remain symbolic and be discussed between the two families and not be subject to fixation.
While this bill also proposes other measures, such as the criminalization of acts of polyandry, MP Solange Masumbuko suggests that we should instead seek to discourage customs that attempt to go beyond the symbolic side of the issue of dowry. In the light of these divergent positions, it is clear that the subject remains sensitive.
However, the proposed law also attracted favorable opinions. Some believe that the revision of the family code is essential to safeguard the values of a nation. If nothing works at the family level, the nation will be turned upside down, according to an elected official from the Lukunga district in Kinshasa.
In general, the controversy surrounding this bill recalls the importance of customs and traditions in Congolese culture. This question is not only local, it questions the place of culture and religion in Congolese society. It will take a delicate balance to address each other’s concerns and find consensus around this complex issue.