Polygamy 
fully address her as “ Eyah ” (mother or superior). 
As long as she lives, she alone prepares food for 
her lord and manages all his domestic affairs. 
The Yorubans are not insensible to the evils of 
polygamy and recognize the wisdom of having 
only one wife. 
Along the wall in our reception-room were 
benches for the accommodation of visitors, and 
it was seldom some of these were not occupied 
during the day. Among the callers one day was 
a young man unusually dignified and quiet. His 
countenance was much cast down. My wife 
was not very well and was reclining on a lounge 
while I was holding her hand. The young man 
sadly regarded us for a while and then said with 
much emphasis: 
“White man, you are right.” 
“ How ?” said I. 
“In having only one wife,” said he. 
“ What makes you think so ? ” 
“ Well,” said he, “ one year ago, I took a bride 
and 1 was happy with her; but two months ago, 
like a fool, I took another wife, and I have had 
no peace since.” 
It was with some difficulty I could suppress a 
smile while I condoled with him on his sad fate. 
But a man’s position and importance here are 
99 
