This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
My Grandfather's Polygamous Past ¶
ManKambugua's grandfather was a paramount chief during the colonial period, known for his 39 wives and 6 concubines. In a dream, ManKambugua's grandfather visited him in Birmingham, England, and they went shopping for African food and perfumes.
ManKambugua's grandfather was a no-nonsense man who feared only the white man and Senior Chief Njiiri wa Karanja. He believed that his wives could amass more wealth than Chief Njiiri if they worked together. ManKambugua's grandfather was also known for his young wives, with one being only 18 years old when he was 100.
During his visit, ManKambugua's grandfather was adamant about not eating in his mother's place, but eventually, they went shopping for foodstuffs in East London. ManKambugua's grandfather was delighted to find sweet potatoes and cassavas that were so sweet they made one's toes wiggle.
As they shopped, ManKambugua's grandfather asked about their wives, and they told him they each had only one. He was astonished, saying, 'What? One wife? And you call yourselves men?'
ManKambugua's encounter with his grandfather was a surreal experience that left him with many questions about his grandfather's past and his own life.
