When Yakaka Mandara tweeted a picture of a first wife feeding her husband’s second wife at a wedding reception, she did not expect that the photo would go outside of her country, Nigeria. But that’s exactly what it did, reigniting an age-old debate about polygamy in Africa.
Polygamy is a centuries-old practice in Africa that has yet to disappear from modern life. It has both cultural and religious origins. It is legal in 26 out of 54 African countries, particularly Muslim majority countries.
In the case of the picture Mandara posted, sources say the first wife threw a huge wedding for her husband as he married his second wife. People have commended her effort in helping to usher in a second wife while others have criticized it for being outdated.
READ ALSO: THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF AFRICA’S FEMALE HUSBANDS
See Mandara’s tweet and reactions below:
A picture of a first wife feeding her husband’s second wife at a wedding reception. .
If only women would understand and embrace their co-wives ,its much more easier than jealousy that eats them up. pic.twitter.com/hhVecvZf2m— Yakaka Mandara (@YaxsyMand) April 15, 2018
Twitter reactions:
Personally uneasy about multiple wives- it doesn’t sit well with my view on equality and roles.
But nonetheless… a fascinating wedding image showing how marriage is different place to place. https://t.co/5YEIq21pR3— Nick Cavanagh (@ncavanaghphoto) April 15, 2018
Is the 2nd wife still alive? https://t.co/P4P96i6ugS
— Alágbàdo (@PhxAkin) April 15, 2018
When there is money, polygamy is sweeter. https://t.co/lt7knEIYrP
— E. (@TheEloho) April 15, 2018
? awwww so cute. How my first husband will help my second husband knot his tie ? understanding goals ♥ https://t.co/GTgsBXSBLE
— Petite Bombshell ? (@IsyNene) April 15, 2018
I cant do that… I know its his right to have another wife so i wont stop him but i can never go this extra just to get the applause of people. Nah! https://t.co/CoOaX5cgnH
— DeeDee (@DDJumare) April 15, 2018
Lmao she probs feeding her poison https://t.co/iDhqo8yMCe
— Its me (@sanbanado) April 15, 2018
I’m not tryna die on my wedding night….thank you I can feed myself https://t.co/3wIzCu6f5s
— ???? (@hibaaaaa_xx) April 15, 2018
May Allah bless this woman, i hope to be this obedient to Allah one day ❤❤ https://t.co/1fH2lWDQqT
— SC : Mzz_sammy (@HerRoyalPrelate) April 16, 2018
Whoever they married is winning fr fr https://t.co/rmDJ5EnIth
— Saint Sami Guardiola ? (@OMG_Its_6ix) April 16, 2018
Girl…NO! https://t.co/1xIIgSCg3h
— T. Cochran (@LieutenantTerri) April 16, 2018
This is such a beautiful thing. https://t.co/n7yKLlgyrs
— GUAP ⭕ (@Omethius_Slime) April 16, 2018
1. I am probably poisoning her
2. I’ll marry a man who makes me his ONLY wife https://t.co/X3wJPF2EdN— Mia♡ (@_miafaizal) April 16, 2018
I can’t wait for my husbands to care for one another like this??? https://t.co/HuiEcKAuup
— BiteSize™ (@CarnYee_Madi) April 16, 2018
All The While I’m Lipsing My Future Third Wife In The Toilets https://t.co/mouY67iNpC
— Pondu (@_TwoFootIn) April 16, 2018
What are your thoughts? Which side of the debate on modern-day polygamy do you fall on?
READ ALSO: MEXICANS OF AFRICAN DESCENT ESTABLISHED LOS ANGELES ON THIS DAY IN 1781
