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Polygamy
As a choice for the Black Family

"Today the women of the world are not content to live as housewives. In most countries they are striving harder and harder for higher education so that they may participate in the civic duties for their community and nation. In time of war, women like men, have served their country, and in some of them they have fought side by side with the men against the enemy."

- Words of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Sellassie 1

Contrary to popular belief, sex is not the primary focus of polygamy. It is grounded in the principle of collectivity / village / oneness which is the foundation of the success of Afrikan civilization. I am not here to promote polygamy nor chant it down. But it cannot be deemed as unrighteous by any sense, not spiritually, biblically, economically, socially, culturally, etc.

In these times, when the Black Family finds itself in absolute chaos, under this western system / culture / order, polygamy needs to be discussed and reviewed, as a Nation, for we are today more fragmented then ever. There are many more women to men, why should one sistah be honored, provided for and protected, while the other be dishonored by being neglected and relegated to being "my baby's mama". Why shouldn't we pull our resources together, strengthen the Kingman, and give the youths extra security? Why shouldn't we consider returning to our ancient traditions, especially when we have seen the results of Western culture? It is simply amazing to me that sistahz grudgingly accept that men "cheat" and dishonor them, but absolutely reject our ancient tradition, where economics are shared, work is shared, motherhood is shared, and things are done in the light, with honesty and balance. Why fight something which may prove to be beneficial to us all as a collective? Oh…how the western mind has poisoned us to accept his devilish philosophies, and deny the ways of our ancestors.

"For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am Black; astonishment hath taken hold of me."

From the book Facing Mt. Kenya by Jomo Kenyatta:

"After a man has had the first wife, "nyakiambi", a year or so generally passes, and then HIS WIFE starts to question him about getting a second wife, especially if she is expecting a child or immediately after she has had one. "My husband, don't you think it is wise for you to get me a companion (moiru)? Look at our position now. I am sure you will realize how God has been good to us to give us a nice and healthy baby. For the first few days I must devote all my attention to nursing our baby. I am weak...I can't go to the river to bring water nor to the field to bring some food, nor to weed our gardens. You have no one to cook for you. When strangers come you have no one to entertain them. I have no doubt that you realize the seriousness of the matter. What do you think of the daughter of So-and-SO? She is beautiful and industrious and people speak highly about her and her family. DO NOT FAIL ME, my husband. Try to win her love. I have spoken to her and found that she is very interested in our homestead. In anything that I can do to help you I am at your service, my husband. Even if we have not enough sheep and goats for the dowry, our relatives and friends will help you so that you can get her into our family. You are young and healthy and this is the best time for us to have healthy children and so enlarge our family group, thereby perpetuate our family name after you and I have gone. My husband, please act quickly as you know the Kikuyu saying: "Mae megotherrera mondo onyotie" (The flowing water of the river does not wait for a thirsty man")

The husband then, following his wife's advice, starts to act. He approaches his parents, and after consultation with them, arrangements are made to visit the girl and her parents. If accepted, he proceeds to pay the sory and other gifts connected with marriages. When all arrangements are completed, he builds a hut next to that of the first wife home..."

In Matthew 19:3-9, Y'shua is not speaking about polygamy. Rather, He is only answering a question about divorce. Indeed, the entire passage is about divorce, not polygamy. Polygamy is about marriage, whereas divorce is about breaking up marriage. Accordingly, Y'shua was not speaking against pro-marriage polygamy in Matthew 19. He was instead addressing marriage destruction of divorce, not polygamy.

For context, it is important to note that the "one flesh" verse itself of Genesis 2:24, which the Lord Jesus was re-quoting, was written by Moses. And Moses married (was "one flesh" with) two wives: Zipporah (Exodus 2:16-21 and 18:1-6) and the Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1). The term, "one flesh", could not otherwise allegedly mean that a man could not be "one flesh" with more than one woman because three things did indeed happen: 1) Moses did marry two wives. 2) Moses did author such other verses as Exodus 21:10 and Deuteronomy 21:15.3) Jesus Christ did not speak against Moses being "one flesh" with two wives. Hence, the Scriptures reveal that Jesus and Moses knew what "one flesh" meant when Moses authored Genesis 2:24: a man may be "one flesh" with more than one woman. "If a man have two w i v e s...Deuteronomy 21:15.

The passage of Deuteronomy 21:15-17 is a specific instruction in the Law itself to any man with "two wives". If polygamy was a sin, then it would not be possible for a "man to have two wives" in the Law.

"If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his." Deuteronomy 21:15-17.

"If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish." Exodus 21:10. Exodus 21:10 protects the first (and previous) wife(s). Note that this verse comes only 22 verses AFTER the 7th Commandment ("Thou shalt not commit adultery") in Exodus 20:14.

I overstand the argument many will use stating that His Majesty did not have several wives, therefore Rastafari shouldn't either. But according to biblical law, it is divorce which is not approved of, not polygamy. Let us not forget that His Imperial Majesty Empress Menen, who brought with her children of her previous marriage into her new marriage with HIM. His Majesty is the 250 descendant of the Royal Solomonic Dynasty which, truth be told, was a polygamous one. Perhaps he chose not to do so himself, but he comes from a Lineage which did.

I'm not here to staunchly defend or promote polygamy or monogamy, but give a traditional Afrikan perspective to the descendants of Afrika who may or may not hold fast to westernized biblical perspective, with all due respect and overstanding. InI must wisely discern the difference between polygamy and promiscuity. Let us also consider the fact that unlike what the westernized mind would sight as "subservience" among women inna polygamous relation, or a form of degradation to the women, that it is in fact polygamous societies which honored the Goddess Principle, and were moreover matriarchal societies, whereas the western (white) world has always degraded and subjected its women within its patriarchal system.

Just some things to think about – before being so quick to deem polygamy as unrighteous according to biblical law. Not only is it part of InI Kulcha but spiritual / socio-economic levity as well. Polygamy and monogamy have always co-existed in our Afrikan traditions.

What Are Your Views...

HIGHLY!!!!!!!!!

BUT AS FOR POLYGAMY IN DIS DAY AND AGE IN DIS SYSTEM SURELY NOT ACCEPTABLE

very interesting article kam i can see the pro's and the con's associated with it,but as bumbum says in todays society if one attempts to secure such a situation,they would refer to you as a CULT LEADER who's BRAINWASHING innocent people.

just my observation

CULT LEADER OR BRAINWASHING DATS MINOR,,,,,,, AIDS IS A HUGE KILLER.

Not that i am a proponet... but your stating Aids is a major killer meaning what, care to explain, because you are staing an obvious fact?

If polygamy was legal, the majority of people would not be part of it and in turn for the few who would be part of it, i am sure whatever precautions would be taken. Finally, like in present day society Polygamy or not, Aids is a Major Killer, so i believe that a more valid point could be made if you were arguing against polygamy.

I AM NOT DIRECTLY ARGUING AGAINST POLYGAMY BECAUSE THAT IS A NEVER ENDING ARGUMENT,,AND I AM NOT ONE TO ARGUE.
BUT TODAY PPL ARE RUNNING AROUND SLEEPING WITH 10 DIFFERENT PPL ONLY USE A CONDOM WITH MAYBE A GOOD 7,,2 OUT OF THOSE PPL COULD BE BISEXUAL,,BASICALLY THERE IS TOO MUCH $HITE GOING AROUND FOR POLYGAMY TO EVEN BE LEGAL.
I DONT THINK THIS STUFF WAS AROUND IN THOSE BIBLE DAYS SO I GUESS BACK THEN IT WOULD BE O.K ,,BUT TODAY ITS TO MUCH OF RISKY BUISNESS,,

I understand that you taking it to the extreme which is quite perceptive but still that would be based on conjecture but hey i think we are getting way ahead of ourselves, since we both know that in our life that this would never become the norm.

could'nt say it any better.

bla bla bla......
things have changed and i don't think that
it is because nowadays black men cannot be polygamous
that they are the way they are!!!!
it polygamy things was goor and accepted back in the days
and in your text you didn't mention much about the treatment of these wifes because it is not as happy as you make it looks!!

now talking bout polygamy.. technically society does accept polygamy lemme explain, though there is no marriage but however a man is allowed to have several kids with different women..

i am not for polygamy because societies and people where it would be acceptable cannot afford it.. resources are limited education is also limited. Those who have a proper of understanding of polygamy would probably accept it. But I don't believe in this present era women would be willing to share a man's attention amongst other things

Well, there are some Blacks from the USA who are now living in Israel that practices polygamy.

I believe they went there during the 60's or early 70's.

They have their own community in Israel. They supposedly call themselves the Black Israelites.

In fact, Whitney Houston went on a trip to Israel last year and got baptisted by that community.

Vey interesting. Since women no longer need the protection men afforded in a more "primitive" society, are completing college in greater numbers than men, and are in the work force probably in the same numbers of men, perhaps we should have several husbands.

Ok, I am volunteering my services as husband #1.

the same movement ur describing means that they are fewer men on the same education level as these women.. not to be the bearer of bad news but quite a few relationships have gone bad becuz the man was not the smarter one or could not stimulate his woman mentally

Well, I have alt to say on this subject but I am going to make it brief. I was raised in a polygamous household. This subject raises many issues for me. Traditionally, the practice of polygamy involves the wives to have their own living quarters. It is important for women to still maintain individuality. Growing up in polygamy can also be very hard on the children. It was for me. Because we all lived under the same roof, there were issues with favoritism. Resentment towards the parent for choosing this type of lifestyle. Depending on the family's finances it can be a very tight living situation. You feel that you have no privacy and that there may not be enough attention focused on you because there just seems to be too many other people to consider in this type of situation. Another issue is that "jealousy" always comes into play at one time or another.

I will say this, polygamy has pro's as well. For me, it created a small community. It taught me how to share. It nurtured me socially. I am my mothers only child and at the age of 5 years old I was introduced to 5 new people who were supposed to be my siblings and 2 additional mothers and another father. That was about 23 years ago there are now a total of 12 children, 4 wives and my stepfather. Very many days I felt alone amidst a house full of people other days I was grateful that I had brthers and sisters even though they were not my blood. Today, they are my family. Blood or not they are my family, through all the mental anguish I experienced along the way it has taught me more about myself than I would have learned had my mother decided to be single or even marry agin into a monogamous relationship.

This arrangement is not made for everyone. It can work for those who truly understand what polygamy is truly about. And as it wa stated above, it has nothing to do with sex. It has to do with creating an opportunity for women who may not have the opportunity to have find a "good husband" or the stability of a family. The key truly lies with the man. You have to support and trust in their vision. This is more about centralizing our resources and creating communities that encourage and promote the spiritual, mental and physical upliftment of our people. I am not one who advocates polygamy, but I have learned not to knock it either. Personally, I would not choose it for myself. I have considered it once or twice but based on the fact that I had some difficulty with it growing up, my wounds may be reopened causing me to distrust.