Ibrahim Yakoub is a man rebelling against tradition.
Born in the Comoros into a traditional polygamous family, his earliest recollections are of the wars waged between his mother and his father’s other wives.
Living in France for many years and very involved in the Comoros community of the Parisian suburb, La Courneuve, he has been a keen observer of the havoc wreaked by polygamy in France. Families forced to live together in apartments that are not at all adapted to their circumstances; boys forced to spend all their free time on the streets to escape their cramped living conditions; never-ending conflicts that sometimes result in the mistreatment of children.
His book was triggered by an incident that occurred in his own neighbourhood, to a family that fell victim to this misunderstood tradition. An ordinary polygamous family, trapped in a vicious circle of endless conflict and crippling debt. A story that ended badly, and yet a story that is similar to those of thousands of other families. It is estimated that there are some 25,000 polygamous households in France.
This is a book written by someone who has decided to speak out, even if it means incurring the wrath of his community leaders.