Inside Look Into 1960s African Family of Polygamy

A thought-provoking novel, “Child of Polygamy” explores African culture and family through the eyes of a young girl growing up in a fractured, polygamous household. Explore both the traditional beliefs of the Ewe people in eastern Ghana, and the influence of Christianity on the entire African continent.

Gadsden, AL (PRWEB) September 11, 2006 -- Growing up in Ghana, a young Kosi Avotri, MD was distressed that among all the novels available in middle and secondary school, only one was written by an African and described events, people and places from Africa. This sparked a lifelong dream of one day writing books that were entirely based on African characters and real African culture and lifestyles.

“Child of Polygamy” (ISBN 1420873067) is the compelling debut novel co-authored by Kosi Avotri, MD and wife Nella Avotri. This incredible exploration into the heart of one family in 1960-70’s Ghana takes readers on an adventurous journey seeing African life through the eyes of a teenage girl, attempting to cope with her own personal tragedies while trying to understand the conflict between local traditions and Christian beliefs.

Safia is the youngest daughter of a fractured polygamous family in Ghana, West Africa. Born in the house of her maternal grandfather who was the village chief, her peaceful and happy rural life was about to change drastically. As a result of her mother’s sudden illness, Safia, age 11, is forced to spend the next four years in her father's house with her stepmother and stepsiblings, where she is tormented, humiliated and isolated by her oldest stepsister.

The Avotri’s draw on Safia’s life and experiences to backdrop the exploration of deeper issues such as the living arrangements of a polygamous household, crime and punishment, suicide, incest, taboos and the treatment of mental illness. “Child of Polygamy” neither justifies nor condemns the practice of polygamy, but simply addresses it as in Africa, just another legal form of marriage. With strong attention paid to the interaction of local, traditional beliefs with the "imported" religion of Christianity, the Avotri’s have created a unique and realistic story that sheds light on some of more misunderstood aspects of African culture.

“A genuine, inspiring story” (Kirkus Reviews 2005), an anthropological foray into African culture, an inside look into polygamy, and a coming-of-age story of a young girl, “Child of Polygamy” vividly captures the Ghanaian culture and sweeps readers into a unfamiliar world of the Ewe people of West Africa.

Dr. Kosi Avotri, born and raised in Ghana, was trained in medicine at the University of Ghana Medical School. He is presently practicing Pediatrics in a Community Health Center in Gadsden, Alabama. Nella Avotri is a stay-at-home mom raising 3 teenagers and is an administrative secretary by training. “Child of Polygamy” (ISBN 1420873067) can be purchased at online bookstores. For more information, visit www.avotribooks.com .

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