An Evaluation of Polygynous Marriages in Amochime and Amudara Communities in Eastern Nigeria
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Date
1998-02
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
In Christianity today in Africa, inculturation, indiginization and many other such
concerns for making the Church truly African and truly Christian are critically urgent for
both African and non-African theologians. Polygamy, as one of these issues, has received the
greatest attention. From the very beginning of missionary activity in Nigeria, in the eighteenth
and nineteenth centuries, (not forgetting earlier missionary efforts) missionaries have grappled
with the problem of polygamy. This problem has persisted despite all the efforts itit into it
and the attention it has so far received. The main problem here is how to accept people in
polygamous marriages into the Christian faith community, while maintaining a faithful witness
to the sacramental reality of Christian marriage. There was always a way out throughout the
years, but has there been a real solution to the problem?
Despite the progress made in the area of inculturation, the problem of the African
marriage systems (which are mostly polygynous) has remained cloudy. No Synod or
Ipiscopal conference has claimed to have given an exhaustive analysis of the problem, not
definitive solutions that are theologically sound and pastorally valid. It is really such a
complicated and intricate issue that no one can claim to have a clear-cut solution. I theicfme
acknowledge that I am not here intending to give a solution but to contribute to the del)iiic
by invesligating 80111C illIp01111111 'SSW'S based on first hand experience, so that our quest kim
will be more relevant and our debate helpful.
David MaiIlu pointed out that there are a great number "of press debates that have
been going on about the merits and demerits ... of polygamy," also, many questions ho; it
westerners regarding "the philosophy, or sense, if any, of African polygamy." A wide range
of people from different cultures and walks of life, more than we may expect, are concerned
about this issue; but a major problem is that most of us are not adequately informed about
the issue. Without sound research, our questions will not be to the point, nor touch the core,
making our debate irrelevant to the needs of the people; thus, our solutions, at best temporary, will not touch the central issue at stake.
Many modern African men and women, both young and old, are seriously searching
for solutions to the problem surrounding the contrast between polygamy and the Christian
faith, witnessed to in the Christian monogamy, that sacramentally symbolizes the union
between Christ and his Church and the union between God and humanity. This search is not
for abstract theoretical theological principles but for practical guidelines. This yearning is very
apparent not only among Catholics but also among other Christians and some belonging to
the African traditional religion, men and women alike. I discovered this during my year of
pastoral experience in 1993. I thus came to the conclusion that polygyny and its influence
within the Christian community needs serious evaluation. I therefore took this opportunity to
carry out a practical field research among two communities: the Amochitne community and
the Amudara community. This research is the back bone of this essay.
Purpose and Significance of the Study:
In the documents of Vatican 11 (the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern
World), marriage and family life are treated in part II as the first of the issues requiring
special attention.2 This shows family life as the seed of society and Christian family life as
the microcosm of the entire Church. Anything affecting the family consequently affects the
whole community as a reality that came into being from that nucleus. The concern and care
due to the family can never be overestimated.
It is therefore my hope and desire that this study will enrich the quality of African
Christian family life. It could help young Africans who might be attracted to polygynous
unions, at least, to be aware of the situation they are getting into and its consequences for
their lives. Our ministers of the Gospel and their co-workers are in great difficulty as they
struggle to find a practical pastoral solution to the problem existing between monogamy and
polygamy in the witness to Christian faith in the different cultural situations. While this essay is an effort to gain a better understanding, integration and internalization of the values I have
obtained through my four years of studies, and to reinforce and prepare myself for an
authentic witness to the faith in my African cultural situation, it is also a contribution to the
pastoral workers in this struggle.
This essay fulfills the academic requirements of the mission department of Tangaza
College, simultaneously contributing with anthropological research to our missionary efforts
to attain a richer inculturation of the faith. 1 believe that this study could be of great value
for our contemporary African Christian communities.
The essay is divided into five chapters: The first chapter gives a brief review of sonic
research already completed, opinion of others and the 0111Shall struggles with African
polygamy. The second chapter is dedicated to the practical field work embodying the research
findings. The third chapter is an analysis of the information, with anthropological tools, to
discover the factors influencing the polygyny and the foundations on which such a practice
is based. While the fourth chapter is a brief evaluation of the Catholic stand for monogamy,
the fifth chapter is a search for possible remedies for the pastoral problems of
polygyny/witness to the Christian faith, leading to the conclusion.
The amount of energy and resources spent on marriage and family life in Africa points
to the relevance, complexity and urgency of the matter. Most assemblies and research
programs on African marriage and family life end with an appeal for further research from
"Anthropological, Sociological, Theological, Pastoral and Liturgical view points."' In this
appeal, the need to consider other research programs already completed was emphasized. It
is thus appropriate to start with an investigation into the findings of other research programs
already completed and the opinion of others in the Christian struggles with polygyny. I hope
you will find it informative and interesting.
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Keywords
Approaches of Some Protestant Churches:, Approaches of Some Protestant Churches: