Ghana in the 1960s and '70s. This is not a country, a time, or a way of life that most readers will know much about. “Child of Polygamy” relates the many interesting, fictional stories of Safia, her extended family, and her community, and how they react to and initiate change in their lives.

Reader Views is talking with Kosi J. Avotri, MD, one of the authors of the new novel, “Child of Polygamy.” Kosi is being interviewed by Juanita Watson, Assistant Editor of Reader Views.

Juanita:   Thanks for talking with us today, Kosi.  Would you please tell us the storyline of your new book “Child of Polygamy”? 

Kosi:  Readers who like adventure in reading and are open-minded or willing to be surprised should be excited to read this book. They will learn about the practice of polygamy as well as the culture and traditional beliefs of the Ewe people in eastern Ghana (West Africa) through the growing experiences of the main character. They learn, along with Safia, the last-born daughter of a polygamous and multi-religious family that has been broken and separated by illness and death.

Juanita:  What significant issues do you address throughout your book as Safia, the young girl, grows up in her unique situation?  

Kosi:   In the book we discuss Safia’s life in general and a lot of family and society issues including the living arrangements of a polygamous household, morality, crime and punishment, suicide, incest, taboos and religious beliefs. We also discuss lighthearted issues like entertainment, dating and courtship and celebrations.

Juanita:  What inspired you to write “Child of Polygamy”?

Kosi:  I was distressed by the fact that among all the novels I read in middle and secondary school in Ghana, only one was written by an African and described events, people and places I could identify with. That made me decide that if I could, I would write books set in Africa and populate them with African Characters. Medical education and practice caused me to delay my writing ambition until recently.  However, wherever we go in the US, people we work or worship with ask many questions about our home, and seem to be surprised, entertained and informed by our answers. And when we decided to write, we chose to write a novel to give ourselves the freedom to provide information that is true but not necessarily “accurate” in all details.

Juanita:  Would you tell us about the main characters in your book?  Who are they and what are their distinct contributions to the story you tell?

Kosi:   The main character is Safia, who’s growing years from birth to age 15 are covered in the novel. Her antagonist is Vena, Safia’s oldest half sister who was her tormentor and detractor. Safia’s mother Mina and her maternal grandfather Mededu are the next two important characters who serve as Safia’s major supporters and educators. Finally, Safia’s father Afreti and stepmother Winnie constitute the third most important group of characters.

Juanita:  What effects did the transition from one household to another have on Safia, and her perception of family?

Kosi:  The transition was mostly difficult and unpleasant. It made Safia determined to be self-reliant and very selective in her friendships. Though she was somewhat reserved, she still believed in the African concept of the importance and usefulness of an extended family.

Juanita:  What was the importance of family and community in 60’s-70’s Ghana?  Is it the same today?

Kosi:  The (extended) family was the major source of all material, emotional and spiritual support in the 60’s and 70’s. Today, the family ties persist but are weakened a little by dispersal of people and the constraints of the modern economy.

Juanita:  Which aspects of traditional culture were changed due to the introduction of Christianity to Africa?

Kosi:  Like other cultures, traditional African culture changes in time. However the introduction of Christianity has caused many traditional practices (both good and bad) to be discarded or trivialized. It has also caused people to have internal conflicts because they have to reconcile two belief systems, which are often irreconcilable.

Juanita:  Are the roles of Ghanaian women – daughters, mothers, grand-mothers – changing due to the influences of Christianity?

Kosi:  My personal belief is that the economy has influenced the role of females more than religion. Though gender roles are clearly defined, females can, and do engage in almost any profession. In our traditional religion women have always had important roles and were not barred from the “priesthood” like some Christian denominations.

Juanita:  Just going on the title of your book, you obviously speak of the effects of children in polygamous families.  What underlying statements are you making towards polygamy in your book “Child of Polygamy”?

Kosi:  Where polygamy is legal it was (and still is) viewed as just another type of marriage. Children in such families have the same problems as in monogamous families. In polygamous families where there is serious conflict between the wives, those problems, like sibling rivalry, can be exacerbated.

Juanita:  I have read reviews that suggest “Child of Polygamy” is an inspiring story.  What type of inspiration can readers expect though reading your book?

Kosi:  If I remember well, it was Kirkus Reviews that describe the book as inspiring and showing the importance of family. I need to talk to the reviewer to know what was particularly inspiring. But for myself, the quiet strength of Safia, and the emotional comfort she derives from her relationship with her grandfather is inspiring. The grandfather’s faith in the traditional religion can be inspiring to people with alternative beliefs.

Juanita: Do you think the outside influences, including Christianity, have had more negative than positive effects on traditional Africa?

Kosi:  On balance I would say that the introduction of outside influences has been positive, especially the introduction of formal education, particularly science education. However the wholesale condemnation of all things African as primitive or “fetish” has done a lot of harm to peoples’ self esteem, and caused internal conflicts. I think the Christian concept of reserving punishment for afterlife has caused some criminals to be bolder; no more fearing the African notion of swift retribution.

Juanita:  What were you ultimately trying to convey to readers about Ghanaian culture through your book “Child of Polygamy”?

Kosi: We wanted people to see that there was a system and logic that governed most things that Africans did, no matter how strange they may appear to outsiders. We also wanted to show that people can overcome adversity, even under conditions of polygamy.

Juanita: What are some of the cultural aspects that you address in “Child of Polygamy” that may appear strange to outsiders?

Kosi:  For people who do not have any experience with African culture, a lot of the book may be surprising. Some aspects that may be particularly surprising to most people include:

1. The living arrangements in a polygamous household
   
2. The treatment of the corpses of criminals and victims of suicide and accidental death. These corpses are “punished” or “isolated” before burial.
   
3. Traditional prayer or libation.
   
4. The mixing of Christian and traditional religious beliefs in spite of their conflicts.