Love Multiplied: Woman Chooses Two Husbands, Challenges Tradition
Polyandry, the practice of a woman having multiple husbands, is uncommon and often looked down upon in Africa.
However, Francine Jisele from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has chosen to live with two husbands, defying societal norms.
How A DRC Woman Ended Up With Two Husbands
Francine married her first husband, Remi Murula, six years ago, and they had two children. Remi then left in search of better job opportunities and cut off contact with Francine for over three years.
Feeling abandoned, Francine fell in love with Albert Jarlace, a man working in the mining industry. They had a child together and lived happily until Remi’s unexpected return.
Remi was surprised to find Francine with another man and demanded that Albert leave. Albert refused, citing that he now had a child with Francine and had no other woman to turn to.
Torn between the two men, Francine chose to keep them both. The men agreed to coexist as her husbands in the same house, sharing responsibilities and providing for the family.
Francine revealed they all eat and sleep in the same room, maintaining respect and harmony among themselves.
The Challenges Of Staying With Two Men
Yet, the situation isn’t without challenges. Francine admitted she wishes each man had a separate home and that she could visit them individually. She also expressed discomfort with the three sharing a bedroom simultaneously and the difficulty in distinguishing which child belongs to whom.
The unconventional arrangement has garnered criticism from neighbours and relatives who view it as immoral. Despite this, Francine remains unfazed, asserting that polyandry is not illegal and that other women in Congo also practice it under wraps.
Francine aims to encourage other women facing similar circumstances.