Show dowry dow system beats suitors africani bachelors stay single for lack of funds brazzaville french equate 1 rial africa A strong movement Is afoot hermandin hero here andIn the belgian congo to end the ancient and traditional dowry system which for centuries has proved pro i the virtual ruination of poor young prospective husbands understandably they are strong ly backed by the young native bachelors who according to tribal custom must pay out exorbitant amounts to the family of the girl of their choice before they can marry her opponents of the dowry say aay the price Is so high that most of the healthy young working men would rather stay single than face the he al most certain financial ruin they say it Is virtually a system of bride selling TW the system tends lends they say to make mahe mair marriage lage the privilege of only rich old men es penally where polygamy pro practice atice but thi the tribal chiefs and even some gome educated africans favor con of the fid old system they argue it seals the bond of alliance i between clans jan and that to abolish it would bre break lk up the abole whole tribal system terii in a still pagan society say gay the support erit of the dowry nothing would remain to instill the sense of responsibility and operation cooperation co be t husband and wife or inlaw in law clans it if the system |