Why are Most Africans Polygamous in Nature?

In a polygamous marriage, a person has more than one partner at any given moment. Many cultures around the world embrace polygamy; Africa is just one continent where this is widely accepted. Polygamy is not just tolerated but celebrated in many African civilizations. The historical, cultural, and religious roots of polygamy in African communities go deep. The following is an explanation of these points, with citations from the text to back up the claims made. Many African societies have a long and storied history of practicing polygamy. Polygamy was practiced in precolonial Africa as a means of amassing power, riches, and property.

The prosperity, security, and political authority of African chiefs and monarchs were all bolstered by their large families (Herbert, 1969). A man’s wealth and social standing may be estimated by the number of spouses he had. Men in many African societies were seen as more honorable if they had a large family (Kiguli, 2005).

Polygamy had a similar purpose in traditional African communities like those of the Maasai in Kenya. The progeny of these various marriages carried on the family name. In some communities, having a large family is seen as a sign of prosperity and success. Taking Culture into Account The cultural norms of African civilizations strongly support polygamy.

Cultural and customary standards of Africa’s many nations may allow for polygamy. In West Africa, for instance, polygamy is commonly connected with Islamic culture (Adeyemo, 2017). According to Islamic law, males in West Africa can have as many as four wives, provided they can support them all. Muslim males who engage in polygamy often claim that they are acting in accordance with Allah’s commands as outlined in the Quran (Al-Maghrib, n.d.). Polygamy is common among several societies in various parts of the world, like the Bantu civilisation of East Africa.

In Bantu societies, polygamy is seen as a sign of a man’s success in life and his attractiveness to potential wives (Nyamiti, 2003). Women in certain African cultures actively advocate for their husbands to marry many wives. Some wives take pleasure in their husband’s several wives as a sign of his success and status in society.

The practice of polygamy is widespread throughout Africa, and religion is a major reason why. Monogamy, or the practice of having just one partner, is acceptable in Christian marriages. Many African countries do not have a Christian majority, so other religions, such as Islam, African traditional religions, and Hinduism, have a significant impact on African marriage customs (Izoh, 2021).

According to Islamic principles, polygamy is acceptable in Islamic communities. Many Muslims believe that polygamy is permitted by Allah and is modeled after the example of the Prophet Muhammad (Al-Maghrib, n.d.). Polygamy is encouraged by traditional African faiths because it helps keep families together and communities stable. Some African cultures view polygamy as a sacred practice that pays homage to the gods and ancestors.

Conclusion

Although not all Africans engage in polygamy today, it has been an accepted social norm in many parts of the continent for centuries. Historical and customary factors, cultural conventions, and religious teachings all have a role in maintaining polygamy in African communities. The complexities of why Africans engage in polygamy need an examination of the interconnected causes and effects of the phenomenon.

References

Herbert, E. (1969). African history: Volume I: African kingdoms to 1870. McGraw-Hill.

Kiguli, J. (2005). Polygamy: Its extent and consequences among Bagisu. Fountain Publishers.

Adeyemo, G. (2017). The religion factor in polygamy among the Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria: A sociological analysis. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 22(10), 74-78.

Al-Maghrib. (n.d.). Polygamy in Islam: Why can a man have up to 4 wives? https://almaghrib.org/magazine/polygamy-in-islam-why-can-a-man-have-up-to-4-wives

Nyamiti, C. (2003). African ethics: Gĩkũyũ traditional morality. Paulines Publications Africa. – Izoh, A. N. (2021). Interrogating the prevalence of polygamy in Africa: A critical review of the literature. Journal of Marriage and Family, 83(1), 143-156.