The Eastern Congo 



It very often happens that the widow refuses to cohabit 

 with one of the heirs ; in this case, a portion of her dowry, 

 very often a moiety thereof, is returned to the heirs. If 

 the widow re-marries a man who does not belong to her 

 deceased husband's clan, she is allowed to have the custody 

 of her children until they are of marriageable age. 



(b) If a wife should die in the hut of her husband, this 

 latter, in such case, is not entitled to claim any portion of 

 her dowry, but he has the custody of the children — issue 

 of their union. 



(c) If a wife should die away from home, in the midst 

 of her own family, or if she has been dismissed by her husband 

 or gone away with his permission, the husband, in such 

 case, and if he has no children, is entitled to a portion only 

 of his wife's dowry. But if he should have a child, he is 

 barred out altogether. The child or children, issue of his 

 union, remain with him. 



(d) If the wife should run away from home and desert 

 her husband in order to get married elsewhere, the husband, 

 in such case, is entitled to the whole of her dowry and has 

 the custody of the children issue of his marriage. 



(e) If the husband should repudiate his wife and drive 

 her away from the conjugal domicile, he is, in such case, 

 entitled to a portion of her dowry proportionately to the 

 length of time his wife lived with him. If there be any 

 children issue of the marriage, they reside with their mother 

 until they are of age to arrive at a decision as to what they 

 intend to do. If the children are girls, their father will 

 later on be entitled to claim part of their dowry. 



(/) If a polygamous wife or a wife acquired by heritage 

 should be desirous of regaining her liberty, she is given every 



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