Clarified Information
  • STORIES
  • VIDEOS
  • PODCASTS
  • EXPLAINER
  • WRITE FOR US
No Result
View All Result
Clarified Information
  • STORIES
  • VIDEOS
  • PODCASTS
  • EXPLAINER
  • WRITE FOR US
No Result
View All Result
Clarified Information
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home C MENU NEWS Opinion

When is a husband in Africa guilty of cheating on his wife. Does “a cheating husband” even exist?

Clariform Media by Clariform Media
3 years ago
in Editor`s Pick, Opinion
0
When is a husband in Africa guilty of cheating on his wife. Does “a cheating husband” even exist?
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Polygamy is like a birthright to the men in a traditional African society.  A man is at liberty to marry as many women is he so wishes and is able bring home under his roof. The ability here is not actually in terms of financial capability to maintain all the women in a large family. It is rather if he has the ability to get the women to agree to follow him home.

RELATEDSTORIES

An ideal wife is not found in the husband`s bed, but on his decision table. What are you bringing to the table? / Apostle Paul / Contributor

If he is able to get them to say yes, then it is inconsequential whether he actually has the ability to maintain the women. The initial requirements for traditional marriage rite in some African communities are noted, but it is hardly a barrier to a man who has already proven the ability to put his woman in the family way. The moment she gets pregnant many other conditionality in the traditional marriage rite can be compromised.

ADVERTISEMENT

This is exactly why the poor and illiterate population in Africa tends to marry more wives and bear more children than the rich and educated elites. Most times in this societal cadre of individuals little questions are asked, and there are hardly any formalities observed. You may not even get to hear of the marriage before you hear of the baby shower.

“The Marriage Act did not outlaw the traditional marriage institution and no law in Nigeria have done so as at date. Even the Islamic marriage is an institutional polygamy, only that it caps the man`s connubial expansion to 4 wives in his life time. So, technically polygamy and monogamy both coexist in Nigeria till date.”

Further, before the advent of Christianity which the Whiteman brought into the continent, the idea of feminism, monogamy, husband cheating on his wife, and all that where far from our thoughts and imaginations. It was entirely the man`s world and he was the lord and master in his miniature kingdom of a man and as many wives as there were. Yet, everyone was happy and got along very well.

ADVERTISEMENT

When the white man came, he thought our people the concept of monogamy and all the teachings of Christianity. With this gradually grew the teachings around the right of women in the marriage institution and in the wider world. This “imported” culture further led to a wave of feminist movements which today has continued to grow in lips and bounds.

But how far has all these gone in advancing the concept of monogamy over polygamy in Africa as a way of life for the people?   

ADVERTISEMENT

Admitted, the Christian religion have affected the marriage institution in many ways. Can we really say that this effect has been fundamental or revolutionary enough to supplant the overwhelming advantages a man enjoyed over the years in a typical traditional matrimonial union? Your views here may vary, but the reality will always converge.

The Christian marriage teachings made their way into the law books in African countries. Take for instance, in Nigeria, a specific reference is the Nigerian civil marriage law codified in the Marriage Act and the Marital Courses Act. The monogamous system of marriage tried to entrench its superiority and dominance over the traditional polygamy, but how far did it go?

“The only legal requirement for a man to contract a valid marriage under the Act, is that he must do so with only one of the litany of wives already in his bed. But as a matter of law, he is still permitted to retain the others. The preachers of the Holy Gospel will certainly not agree with this position, but the law is a different thing from morality. Sadly, this is the case.”

The Marriage Act did not outlaw the traditional marriage institution and no law in Nigeria has done so as at date. Even the Islamic marriage is an institutional polygamy, only that it caps the man`s connubial expansion to 4 wives in his life time. So, technically, polygamy and monogamy both coexist in Nigeria till date.

The only legal requirement for a man to contract a valid marriage under the Act, is that he must do so with only one of the litany of wives already in his bed. But as a matter of law, he is still permitted to retain the others. The preachers of the Holy Gospel will certainly not agree with this position, but the law is a different thing from morality. Sadly, this is the case.

Now, one may ask – what`s all the fuss about?

And the response will be – if a man has not lost his “traditional right” to have as many women as he so pleases and covert as many as he wants as his wife, how then can you accuse any husband in Nigeria of cheating on his wife?

No law has criminalized adultery or infidelity, and that is true both for the man and the woman. However, the norms, traditions and cultures in Africa forbids extra-marital affairs, but only for the woman. It does not just prohibit adultery for the woman, but it also prescribes severe retribution for it. For the man tradition and culture does not only permit it, but also encourages it. In fact, the size of a man`s family including the number of wives was contributory to his farming workforce, and farm produce was and still a status symbol till date.

So, in reality there is certainly no legal ground to hold neither a husband nor his wife for adultery. In Nigeria there is no offence known to Apostle Paul as adultery or extra marital affair. However, for the wife the culture and tradition of her own people is very unfair to her. While it denies her the right to extra-marital affairs, it guarantees the same right on a platter of gold for the husband.

Notwithstanding the perceived disadvantaged position of the wife, there is still away she can have things under control. This is a special discussion by Apostle Paul to dissuade any idea that AP supports or encourages husbands to cheat because cultural milieu allows them to. The woman can still hold things together by been a true life support to the man and not a hip of liability in the house. You can read up the discussion here

The situation however, may be changing in a country like South Africa, where women are likely going to be able to enjoy polyandry, which is the right to lawfully marry as many men as they want. If this happens then the feminists would have scored another point and added yet another feather to their towering cap of momentous achievements.

Dear readers, I like to get your views. Kindly let me know your reactions to the issues I have discussed. You do not have to agree with me on any of the points. I have actually not expressed any view but addressed the facts as they are. Let me know what you agree or disagree with in the comment section below.

Written by Apostle Paul, also known as AP. AP is a prolific writer and writes on various issues about marriage and family life, entrepreneurship, personal finance and lifestyle.

Tags: DivorceMarriage
Share188Tweet117

For any enquiries please, email our editorial team at [email protected]. If you want to write for Clariform, sign up here.
Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join thousands of Clariformers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Previous Post

Corruption: Col. Sambo Dasuki and others arraigned again for fraud and misappropriation

Next Post

Reported sack of the CBN governor is fake news

READ MORE STORIES

Explainer

UK Care Worker Visa Reforms: What Immigrants Must Know and Do Before 2028

May 13, 2025
Biafra suporters on the match
Analysis

How IPOB’s Sit-at-Home Order Continues to Shape the Southeast: History, Impact, and Resistance

May 13, 2025
The Opportunities From Erasmus+ 2024 Call, Benefits to Nigerian and African Students
News

UK Court of Appeal Rejects Student’s Attempt to Switch to Skilled Worker Visa

May 12, 2025
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Press Statement
Analysis

Unpacking the UK Government’s Spring Statement for Immigrants and People on Low-Income Brackets

March 31, 2025
Benjamin Kanu, Deputy Speaker, Nigerian House of Representative
Analysis

As Nigerian Regions Get Functional Development Commissions, South East Gets Cold Shoulder

March 28, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Signing the South-South Developement Bill
Editor`s Pick

Clariform Explains: Will the South-South Development Commission Bill Be a Political Game Changer for Tinubu?

March 26, 2025
Next Post
Reported sack of the CBN governor is fake news

Reported sack of the CBN governor is fake news

Please login to join discussion

SUBSCRIBE

Get the latest news, insights about immigration, career, financial security and how to get there. Join many others and learn the secrets right inside your personal inbox.
ADVERTISEMENT

TRENDING

New Shortage List Could be a Possible Pathway for Low-Skilled Foreign Workers to the UK
News

New Shortage List Could be a Possible Pathway for Low-Skilled Foreign Workers to the UK

May 13, 2025
REVEALED: Nigerian Celebrities who join NSPPD prayers every morning
Editor`s Pick

REVEALED: Nigerian Celebrities who join NSPPD prayers every morning

August 22, 2022
Explainer

UK Care Worker Visa Reforms: What Immigrants Must Know and Do Before 2028

May 13, 2025

HOME

LATEST NEWS

CLARIFORM TV

NEWS LETTERS

ABOUT CLARIFORM

Clariform is a UK-based independent media platform dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, expert insights, and well-researched reports on issues that matter to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. Founded by a Nigerian immigrant, our mission is to bridge the information gap on immigration, business, investment, personal finance, and governance, offering clarity on opportunities and challenges in both the UK and Nigeria.

READMORE

QUICK LINKS

  • Home
  • Clariform TV
  • Video
  • Write for Clariform
  • Money
    • Property Investing
    • Stock Investing
    • Crypto Investing
    • Banking
    • Digital Asset
    • Side Hustles
    • Retirement
    • Savings & Budgeting
    • Startups
  • Migration
    • Pathways
    • Settling Down
    • Jobs & Career
    • Starting a Business
    • Life Abroad
    • Personal Finance
  • Newsroom
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Leadership
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • World News
    • News
  • More
    • Careers
    • About Clariform
    • Partner with us
    • Contact us
  • Home
  • Clariform TV
  • Video
  • Write for Clariform
  • Money
    • Property Investing
    • Stock Investing
    • Crypto Investing
    • Banking
    • Digital Asset
    • Side Hustles
    • Retirement
    • Savings & Budgeting
    • Startups
  • Migration
    • Pathways
    • Settling Down
    • Jobs & Career
    • Starting a Business
    • Life Abroad
    • Personal Finance
  • Newsroom
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Leadership
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • World News
    • News
  • More
    • Careers
    • About Clariform
    • Partner with us
    • Contact us

QUICK LINKS

  • STORIES
  • VIDEOS
  • PODCASTS
  • EXPLAINER
  • WRITE FOR US
  • STORIES
  • VIDEOS
  • PODCASTS
  • EXPLAINER
  • WRITE FOR US

NEWSLETTERS

Stay updated with News and Events. Subscribe to our newsletters

Disclaimer: All information on this website, our social media accounts and all platforms are of a general nature only. They do not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own personal situation and requirements, and seek independent professional advice, before making any decisions. For more T&C, Click Here.
  • ADVERTISE
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS
  • ADVERTISE
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS

Copyright 2023 © Clariform

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Clariform TV
  • Video
  • Write for Clariform
  • Money
    • Property Investing
    • Stock Investing
    • Crypto Investing
    • Banking
    • Digital Asset
    • Side Hustles
    • Retirement
    • Savings & Budgeting
    • Startups
  • Migration
    • Pathways
    • Settling Down
    • Jobs & Career
    • Starting a Business
    • Life Abroad
    • Personal Finance
  • Newsroom
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Leadership
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • World News
    • News
  • More
    • Careers
    • About Clariform
    • Partner with us
    • Contact us

© 2023 Clariform Media