Polygamy

Polygamy was a very common thing in the Luhya community most men married up to ten wives and have over twenty children. polygamy was seen or was perceived to signify riches and being a man of influence and authority in the family. Any man who was not a polygamist was not considered as a man and therefore he would not be in the company as a man and therefore he would not be in company of "wazees" whenever they met. Polygamy was a tradition and culture that had taken roof in the Luhya community. As time passed, education came in and the government started the process of civilsation among the community. The missionaries also contributed a great deal in trying to face out polygamy by preaching monogamy. With time, the idea of polygamy started to face out and as the new millenium of 2000 set in monogomy had started to take root in my community (Mayenje community). Though it was a gradual change, monogamy has now taken over and people perceive polygamy as an outdated culture as they try to embrace the idea pf polygamy which has helped strengthen the family and avoid family strife and conflicts brought about by polygamy.