THE EDITOR, Sir:THE ARTICLE in The Gleaner of Tuesday, September 27 regarding King Mswati III of Swaziland choosing his 13th wife has given fodder to some men in our society to justify their promiscuity. These are the only times some are happy to claim African heritage. "It's in our blood!" they declare, and comfort themselves with the four baby mothers and 10 children that they do not, or hardly support, whether financially, emotionally or otherwise.
There are others, who, while they do not have the four 'wives' and 10 children, dream of same. These may be the ones who have good intentions. For them, however, it is a case of "maybe the four wives, but not the 10 children". They just want to have their cakes and eat them as well, even though current economic circumstances have them pinching their pennies.
The issues of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases considered, I would like to point out to these 'wannabe' polygamists that the operative word is KING, meaning, among other things, he has possessions with which to support his lifestyle. His wives and children are physically where he is, he knows them and is there for them. When he dies his family will be provided for. That is the foundation of this aspect of African culture. A man marries as many wives as he can support. The culture does not allow for those with "champagne tastes and bag juice pockets" to marry its daughters and make them destitute. Polygamy does not operate on a budget.
Caribbean scholars have sought to theorise our society looking at these issues. Whereas there is some merit in the African retention theory that seeks to explain some of our behaviours as remnants of African culture, there is also the plantation legacy theory that speaks to the corruption of our African practices as a result of the slavery experience. The two work together. Therefore, we should not denigrate African culture by using it to legitimise wanton behaviours this side of the Hemisphere. Responsibility is always a guiding principle.
I am, etc.,
CAROLYN GRAHAM
jamaica_shuga@hotmail.com
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
