Dowry has been abused no doubt. Funny enough by most ethic groups.

Dowry is not money. It is the pride of a lady to her nucluer and extended families. Ladies insist on it to show they have a responsible worthy suitor.

As the demand of this lady increased, she had to pass money to her man to satisfy the demand of her families.

You can imagine that she expected it while planning for her marriage.

You know what? They are not Igbo o!

Africans don't pay "dowries", they only pay "bride price". A "dowry" means what a woman and her family give to the husband during the marriage. The families of most brides in Nigeria push all the marriage ceremony responsibilities to the groom and won't even offer a dime for support, such families won't like the real meaning of a dowry, they will be more comfortable with "bride price"