Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 111, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1919 — MARRY ON LITTLE CAPITAL [ARTICLE]

MARRY ON LITTLE CAPITAL

Natives in the Belgian Congo Appar- - -.- ently-Are Willing to Take Most Desperate Chances. When an African boy in CongoBeige reaches the age of eighteen and has saved what in American money would be about two dollars, which is enough to buy a piece of cloth for himself and his wife, he proceeds to get married. The courtship period lasts only while the prospective bridegroom gives presents •to the girl’s' parehts. Then if the presents are considered large enough the wedding day is set. In Kapanga in the Methodist Episcopal mission the ceremony takes place. The bride walks with an umbrella over her head to protect her from the sun, and is preceded by a bridesmaid who carries the garment the bride wore before marriage. Other bridesmaids follow, all walking single file. After the deremony the bridal procession goes to the bridegroom’s house. The bride never walks with her husband, but follows him. A wedding breakfast is served, usually consisting of goat meat and corn mush or gruel made from some kind of a root. ■»