UNVEILING THE DARK UNDERBELLY OF POLYGAMY IN LOLA SHONEYIN’S THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES

Abstract

olygamous marriages in Africa have long been a subject of fascination and curiosity, often portrayed in popular culture as exotic and romanticized. However, beneath the surface lies a complex web of power dynamics, inequalities, and hidden struggles that have far-reaching and detrimental consequences for those involved. Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives exposes these hidden struggles and oppressive power dynamics within the polygamous household. The paper aims at depicting the dark underbelly of polygamy in African marriages projecting its negative effects such as oppression, emotional and physical abuse, infertility, and many more. Although infidelity becomes a means for the wives to seek emotional and physical connections outside the constraints of polygamy, infertility and the quest for male children becomes yardsticks for men to marry more wives thus highlighting the unfulfilled desires and yearnings for love and intimacy within the polygamous households. Through qualitative research method, the paper adopts a feminist perspectives to literary criticism with regards to African Feminism. By unveiling the dark aspects of polygamy, the paper challenges romanticized notions of polygamy and emphasizes the need for critical examination of polygamous marriage systems in Africa. It recommends that marriage for women should be a thing of choice and they should be aware of the fact that marriage does not guarantee social and psychological fulfillment. As such, understanding the dark underbelly of polygamy would pave the way for dialogue, raising of awareness, and navigating towards more equitable and inclusive relationship structures.