Kinshasa, March 22nd, 2026 (CPA) – An unusual incident, which has been widely circulated on social media, occurred in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during the payment of a bride price. The uncle who received the money refused to share it with other family members. Dissatisfied relatives locked him inside the house, leading to disputes. Based on the Congolese Family Code, Attorney Charline Asifiwe, head of a legal clinic, on Sunday shed light on this case, which is not an isolated one in the city.
Question 1: Is there a legal rule requiring equal sharing of the bride price among families?
Ms. Charline Asifiwe: Under Congolese law, customary marriage or the payment of the bride price is a family matter, in accordance with Articles 361 and 362 of the Family Code. However, there are no specific provisions governing the sharing of the bride price. This issue can be resolved within the family, as each family has its own way of distributing the bride price during customary marriages of their daughters. Where conflict persists, the aggrieved party may refer the matter to the public prosecutor for breach of trust. In Congolese law, the bride price is primarily considered a symbolic gesture that the future husband (fiancé) offers to the family of his fiancée (future wife). Customary law is, more simply, a matter between two families.
Question 2: If sharing is customary, does it have binding legal value?
Ms. Charline Asifiwe: The issue of the bride price or its value depends on the customs of the fiancée or future wife. In most cases, the bride price follows the customs of the young woman. It also plays another role, that of family transition, as the future wife will henceforth bear the name of her husband. The sharing of the bride price varies from one family to another, but the bride price cannot be increased or reassessed during the marriage process. This means that if the bride’s family initially requested USD 3,000, it cannot later demand USD 8,000 during the marriage process, even if it discovers that the future husband is very wealthy.
Question 3: In the event of a dispute during the sharing of the bride price, as in this case, is legal recourse possible?
Ms. Asifiwe: Regarding the uncle’s behavior, the matter can first be resolved within the family through amicable settlement, since the bride price is primarily a matter between two families. If the uncle persists in his position, they may opt for a second course of action, namely taking the matter to court for breach of trust. Thus, it should be noted that the bride price in Congolese customary law is both a legal, social, and symbolic institution. It serves to legitimize the marriage, unite families, protect spouses, and recognize children (filiation).