Sunday, August 10, 2008

Mandate to Mend and to Marry


Bello Abubakar had been sought for his ability to cure, and his reputation as a healer is surpassed only by the frequency with which God communicates with him. Over the last several decades, he has healed ailments that he sees and simply removes, because of what he claims is the power granted by Allah. Among the many he has healed are women, and he married 86 of them - siring a total of 176 children. Apparently, the power includes a substantial amount of animal magnetism that induces endurance as well. It is a force of healing and breeding that has transformed this former Teacher and Preacher into God's gift to women of Nigeria.

Bello may be a believer in the curative powers of love, and marrying those women whom God told him to heal and wed increases the potency and efficacy of his healing capabilities. But cloning technology may have to be applied to his passion for healing, because with 86 wives, he hardly has time to get dressed - much less heal. Or, he may need equipment similar to an ATM which dispenses his love juice that his wives can withdraw, to continue their lifetime treatment. The dispenser may be molded according to the structure of his endowment.

At 84 years old, most of Bello Abubakar's wives are less than 25% of his age, and a considerable number are younger than his own children. He contends however that no punishment is meted in the Koran for having more than 4 wives, and the boundaries are limited only by one's endurance, endowment and ability. Words spoken like a true love God. Moreover, since Allah specified punishment for fornication and adultery, he is better blessed because he married all of them. A love God of the marrying kind - truly a gift for womanhood.

Despite the absence of George Clooney's charm, Brad Pitt's physique, and Barack Obama's eloquence, Bello's curing skills are attested to and praised by all his wives. Perhaps his healing instrument is as phenomenal as that of Big John Holmes. Convincing all 86 of them is already a spectacular feat in itself, where most men cannot even convince their wives about coming home very late because a commercial jet landed on the freeway. They came with various ailments and all were cured. It is unclear if their ills were from the waist down. To his credit, Bello never left any of them - with 176 kids, it's obvious he always came.

Islamic authorities in Nigeria have been alienated by Bello's family life and have labeled it a cult. Most of his wives stay in an unfinished and fetid house in Bida, others in a house in Lagos. His wives do not work and there is no visible means of feeding such a humongous brood. But one wife said they ask the kids to beg for money, setting a quota for each that would suffice to feed the community daily. Often, it is insufficient. With hardly any time for healing new clients, his income declined, but his libido remains constant. He has already exceeded Jihad's promise of 76 virgins in heaven after death, enjoying heaven on earth while very much alive. Small wonder his wives believe he is next in line from the prophet Muhammad.

Seriously, this is another assault on womens rights and is definitely an injustice to humanity, but none of the wives will ever be convinced that they are being violated. The hunger and lack of education of the mothers and the children would be sufficient grounds to terminate this aberrant situation, but no action could be mounted. Oddly, Bello Abubakar advises all men not to follow his example - not because of the atrocity it creates but because they might collapse from exhaustion. Perhaps it would be ideal for Nigeria's pharmaceutical industry to analyze and recreate what makes him tick and to produce a product that would effectively compete with viagra from his DNA. It could generate more food for his family and provide an income stream greater than Nigeria's oil.

However, Allah willing, none of his sons would have the same healing prowess nor inclination for his tempestuous vocation. If not, heaven help the 69 million women of Nigeria, whose population may increase beyond what the country can possibly absorb.

Haaarrrwwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!

12 comments:

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

"...my own power is given by Allah. That is why I have been able to control 86 of them," he told the BBC.

Look, I am Nigerian and I will tell you that polygamy is a sensitive subject. I wrote a post about polygamy, its impact on women (young girls especially) and families in general and that post still gets people sending me hate mail!!!!

The belief that one man can have more than one wife is difficult for me to relate to, however, I understand that this is the reality for many and Islam specifically allows for more than one wife, so all one can do is empower women to make the best decisions for themselves. Be it polygamous relationships or not.

That being said, I will have to note that nowhere in the BBC article did it suggest that Mohammed's wives were hungry. In fact the pictures I saw showed strong and happy looking women. One was even smiling widely. As to education, I would not assume that all his wives are not educated. One of his wives specifically stated that she met the 'healer' when she was in secondary school.

My point is that when it comes to polygamy, education and financial status has nothing to do with it in certain parts of the world. In this case, polygamy is an accepted and celebrated way of life. Had these women had more education or wealth, it might not have changed things especially as this 'healer' claims to speak with Prophet Mohammed himself.

But, I agree that pharmaceutical companies should find out what special genetic code gives this man the 'prowess' to 'control' so many women. I promise, if those women choose to collectively get upset one day, that man will have to call God down from heaven to get peace in his house.

Artbeat said...

Hi Durano

Firstly thanks for your inspirational words at a difficult time in my life.

I am certain your presence in the disaster zone will be an inspiration to all those suffering as a result of the catastrophe.

We are so often caught up with our own problems that we forget the real pain and suffering in the world and I salute you for your humanitarian effort.

I am pretty certain the polygamous Nigerian does not fit the bill of suffering, poor, unfortunate or downtrodden and can only imagine Allah allows him to charge a handsome fee for his curative efforts in order to support such a large brood.

I also cannot imagine them all marrying him for his wealth as there are too many heir's to divide his estate with.

Obviously this is sheer speculation on my part and certainly could not imagine competing with dozen's of other woman for my husbands favours.

The very thought of just one competitor would probably drive me into a furious jealous rage that would give true meaning to the saying "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"

No amount of fame, fortune or any other virtue would entice me to share my partner with another woman.

I am finally in NZ and have to adjust to the cold here. Coming from a warm humid climate I find myself ill equipped to cope with the cold in terms of attire and managed to attract a severe dose of flu shortly after landing. I am certain though I will adjust as I have in the past.

As usual I always look forward to reading your posts, you are a talented writer with an amazing gift.

Caroline

Kim said...

goodness Durano...
I have never heard of this man...and I really cannot fathom why so many women would want to be 'married' to him...
the situation sounds very cult- like IMO...
the customs of certain groups of people never fail to amaze me...

Anonymous said...

147 kids? He better be good at curing if they all get the flu!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Solomonsydelle,

I'm afraid your timing's a bit off. You said you'd come to my blog to get an education...well, that's not exactly what greeted you I'm afraid. :-)

I too am against polygamy, any injustice or inequality in whatever situation for that matter. I read your post on the subject from the link you provided. You write very well and your posts are educational and well researched.

On the part about hunger, the BBC article mentioned one wife saying that they ask the kids to beg. Since their daily requirement is US $915 and the kids bring in only US $290, i thought it was a safe assumption to make. As to education, I don't mean just schooling, but learning from a wider perspective and in a more open environment - about women's rights, empowerment, equality, sexism and chauvinist attitudes, taking control of their own lives, etc.

I agree that despite these the prevailing culture will prevail, and even if a woman refuses to share her home with others, there is little she can do because the law allows it, at least up to 4 wives. The "healer" is right about not having punishment for more than 4 wives. I just don't know if a woman is allowed to divorce the husband in case he pursues his right to marry several women.

I would like to see what you mentioned about the women getting collectively upset one day.:-)

This post was done with some humor but the intention is to spite the abusive practice of this unsavory person.And other such beings for that matter.

Thanks for the visit. :-) --Durano done!

The Fitness Diva said...

I think that many of these women are so desperate to have a husband and be 'taken care of', that they just saw him as the least harmful option.
After all, with 86, how often would you have to perform your "wifely duties" with him? lol Probably once every couple months (unless you're one of his 'favorites') :O

In those parts, being a single woman is not a great life option or position: you're targeted, devalued and ostracized in certain communities. Here, they get to create their own community (as bizarre and dysfunctional as it may seem) and no longer have to worry about the unknown.

And the fact that many of them had ailments and diseases probably meant that nobody else wanted them.
So here was an option.

I don't condone polygamy either, because it only favors and benefits the man, while the woman is restricted to being monogamous.
It's also an imbalance of power in the relationship.

However, if these women want to play that game, oh well....
What can you do?

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Caroline,

You're welcome. It's all that could possibly be offered. The ailment is something I'm very familiar with.

Where we are right now, I hope to more than just inspire them but to replenish their courage, and wean them away from resignation and hopelessness.

As far as this polygamy issue is concerned, I subscribe to what Solomonsydelle wishes: that all these wives be collectively upset, and we'll see his heaven turn into hell on earth.

He is not a suffering poor, but if any of his kids come to us for help, I will certainly provide it as much as I can. As for kim, as long as he agrees to a vasectomy, perhaps I'll consider thinking about helping him. :-)

Good luck and take care in New Zealand. It's a beautiful country, and all you need to do is to make it your home. This is not achievable by attaching your mind to those foundations that made SA your home. Rather, make yourself the foundation of this new life, and all those other attachments and perspectives will fall into place according to the structure of your persona and your spirit as a creative human being. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hello Kim,

Polygamy is an injustice and treats women as owned properties. It is a culture that was established by men perhaps before we can call it the dawn of civilization.

This must be erased, but Islam allows up to 4 wives provided they could be treated equally. I doubt if that has ever been the case. "Equally" would perhaps refer to something material or financial, but emotions can hardly ever be equal. It's not just the wives but the kids as well.

It's an abomination if you ask me, and this man has taken it further to the ends and beyond of extremes.I hope it falls off soon! :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Zhu,

It's 176 kids, and I don't know how many are on the way.:-)

There has to be a "cut-off" point somewhere, but it's just so cruel, and a violation of human rights as well.

Perhaps he should just have an epiphany and do it himself. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Fitness Diva,

You may be right about the desperation, compounded by their ailments; such that nobody could have wanted them.

But as Solomonsydelle says, it goes beyond that. It's their belief, it being part of their culture, religion and law. The man is also right about not having punishment for more than 4 wives - only for fornication and adultery - that's why he married all of them.

It's not that they want to play the game, it's just that they don't know any other game exists. It's that part of education I was referring to in the post - a wider exposure, a more extensive perspective, that could enlighten them and let them realize the wrongness of this practice.

When that will happen is hard to tell. When their entire lives and that of their grandmothers have been this way, it would take many, many, years to convince them otherwise. Heaven help them. :-) --Durano, done!

Anonymous said...

May Allah take him as soon as possible. His prolonged stay on earth simply endangers more women and adds to the incidence of child poverty in this world.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi JD,

Your comment made me chuckle. I don't know what his mission on this earth is, but I would leave it up to God when his time is due. I wouldn't want to include it in my prayers for him to meet his maker. It may backfire! :-) --Durano, done!