Nigerian stand-up comedian and actor, Okey Bakassi
Nigerian actor Okey Bakassi has stirred discussions on marriage and cultural practices by advocating for polyandry as a viable option for successful women who may find it aligns with their personal needs.
Speaking on Honest Bunch, monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Okey emphasised that polygamy, in his view, is the most appropriate marriage system for Africans and urged a reevaluation of traditional values against Western influences.
Exploring the dynamics of wealth and relationships, Okey argued that financially successful women might feel constrained in monogamous unions if their emotional or sexual needs remain unmet.
“A woman with substantial resources might find one partner insufficient. Instead of facing cycles of divorce and remarriage, why not embrace multiple partnerships simultaneously if it fulfils her needs?” he questioned.
Okey’s comments delve into a broader critique of the tendency of Africans to adopt Western marital norms without scrutinising their applicability to local contexts.
He highlighted the prevalence of monogamy in African societies as a reflection of Western influence, suggesting that many Africans have disregarded polygamy and polyandry, which historically align with the continent’s cultural framework.
“If Americans suddenly embraced polygamy, we’d likely follow suit. We’re often quick to mimic without asking what works best for us,” he observed.
He further expressed his reservations about the gradual adoption of practices he deems foreign, such as the normalisation of homosexuality in Africa.
While acknowledging its growing acceptance worldwide, he lamented the external pressures from the West to conform to practices he believes contradict African traditions.
“There’s a slow infiltration of certain ideologies into our culture, and it’s shaping how we live. We should be careful not to lose our identity,” Okey cautioned.
