POLYGAMY IN DIALOGUE WITH ETHICS: A CASE STUDY OF ISIALA-MBANO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

The critics of polygamy did not consider the relativity of culture involved in this aspect of marriage. Polygamy is not an immoral act in the ethical values of the people of Isiala-Mbano. Oral interviews were conducted on men and women who practice polygamy and monogamy in the three clans of Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria; personal observations and related textbooks were also used in this work. All human rights groups (Women Action Network, and Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women ‘CEDAW’), churches, and individuals advocating for women against their involvement in polygamy should go back to research on the cultural and ethical values of the people on reasons for marriage, and polygamy. All the advocates of a ban against polygamy are doing the institution a disservice as they disregard the ethical theories of each cultural group of the society. They should not make a faulty generalisation from the western cultural point of view. Monogamy is imposed on the people of Isiala-Mbano by the colonial administration with their teachings to school pupils and preaching to their converts in their churches. Instead a western method of politics was introduced which is now running the country down with inefficiency, indiscipline and corruption. The people of Isiala-Mbano resort to polygamous marriages because single parenthood is frowned at and the surest way of getting into the fulfilled life is by marriage or polygamy if necessity calls for it.