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Historic moment at Senegal’s presidential palace as 2 first ladies stand by President-elect
In a historic moment during the final stages of the electoral campaign, President-elect of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, took the stage holding the hands of both of his wives, Marie and Absa.
This unprecedented display in the national political arena of the West African nation signifies a clear choice by the first-round winner who promises significant change.
Polygamy is a customary and religious practice deeply rooted in the culture of Senegal, where the vast majority of the population practices Islam.
Marie Khone, who had previously been out of the public eye, hails from the same village as the 44-year-old Faye. They have been married for 15 years and have four children together.
Faye tied the knot with his second wife, Absa, just over a year ago, further illustrating the unique dynamics and traditions within Senegal’s political landscape.
READ ALSO: 44-year-old Faye emerges as Senegal President 10 days after returning from prison
“It’s the ultimate recognition of the tradition of polygamy at the top of the state, with a situation that will reflect Senegalese reality,” sociologist Djiby Diakhate said.
Many men praise the practice while women tend to remain “mistrustful”, he added.
Polygamy has long stirred controversy and the public appearance by BDF, as he is known, with his two wives at his side cheered on by thousands of his supporters has made it a top talking point in the media, online and at home, sparking diverse reaction.
“Being a second wife suits me better than being a first,” well-known singer Mia Guisse said proudly in a video that recently went viral.
Reputed sociologist Fatou Sow Sarr said on X, formerly Twitter, that “polygamy, monogamy, polyandry are matrimonial models determined by the history of every nation”.
“I really think that the West has no legitimacy to judge our cultures,” Sarr added in a follow-up message on X.
Former culture minister and history professor Penda Mbow said the matrimonial situation at the presidential palace now is “totally new”.
“Until now, there was only one First Lady. This means the entire protocol must be reviewed,” he added.
Polygamy is widespread in Senegal particularly in rural areas and is considered a way of widening one’s family.
Islam permits men to take up to four wives providing they have the financial means. In such a case, it calls for equal, alternating time spent with the wives, of between two and three days.
Many marriages are not registered in Senegal, making it difficult to say exactly how many are polygamous.
But according to a 2013 report by the national statistics and demographics agency, 32.5 percent of married Senegalese people were in a polygamous union.
The average age of the women at the time of their marriage was 40.4 years old and 52.9 for men, the report said.
Diakhate, the sociologist, said Faye had sent a “strong signal so that other men also accept their polgygamy and so that they demonstrate transparency like him”.
He said there was “undoubtedly a will” to end hidden polygamy — known in the Wolof language as Takou Souf — which he added would be “a good thing for the economy of the country and for the matrimonial situation”.
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