WHY SOME IGALA MEN MARRIED MANY WIVES IN THOSE DAYS

WHY SOME IGALA MEN MARRIED MANY WIVES IN THOSE DAYS

In those days, almost everyone has someone who has 2, 3 or more wives in his family. Some even marry up to 10 or more. In fact, even most of the grandfathers of today still have up to 2 or more wives because the number has reduced due to several factors. But, why did our ancestors marry so many wives in those days to the extent of having some in different towns?

1. Security: In those days, some of our people settled in isolated location that is far from anyone. Just at the middle of forest or grassland for farming or hunting or fishing. In this case, only one wife can’t stay there while the man will be away on the water or in the bush, sometimes over a night. Thus, additional woman or women is/are needed.

2. Wealthiness: Igala marriage is based on how the husband can take care of your daughter especially in terms of feeding. And so, those who can take care of more than one wife could marry more, and all of them would live happily irrespective of the number.

3. Occupation: Some Igala people were taken from one town to the other, and may spend even 3 months before coming from the hunting or fishing or medicine making journey back home . In these various towns, a particular man may like his character, and would tell him to take his daughter and marry. He will not pay any amount, just ensure she is not hungry. In this case, he has added another wife. And sometime, himself, can even get another wife in the new location that will help him prepare the meat or fish etc.

4. Work at home: Sometimes, domestic work can be too much for just one person. But the man is always on the farm or doing other things to bring food home. So, the man will marry more so that they can share the works at home. Sometimes, the woman, herself will go and look for another woman and tell the husband that left him marry her as additional wife. Na true o. E no kíll them. And they will be increasing.

5. Farm work: If you are a farmer, you will know the importance of having many wives if you are not close to people to help you. You need to harvest the melon. Maize is drying. Beans is spoiling. Groundnut is germinating because the harvest is getting late, etc. There will be for additional wife or wives.

6. Companionship: Some women are very amazing sometimes. A woman will be enjoying in her husband’s place. When she sees that there is one of her friend that is not married, she will just marry her for her husband. And the friendship increases. I have heard of 3 friends who married same man. Na companion or friends them be forever.

7. No adequate family planning regulator: In Igala tradition, a woman goes back to the husband around 3 years after giving birth. In this case, the man is just left like an “orphan”. He no get anybody again o. And a living wife can get him another wife. Or, he, on his own will marry additional wife. Sometimes, the two will give birth almost at the same period. Then, he may add additional one. This was good. It will help men and women too because everyone woman has a husband and the society was less of different social noise of today. But that is by the way.

8. Royalty: A king is forever young. In addition, it is great honour to be the in-law of a king. Thus, traditional rulers occasionally receive wives from parents as a gift of honour. In addition, there was a tradition in those days that after a particular festival, a new wife will be added to the king’s wife. But irrespective of the number, they were happily married.