Avotri Books

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Dr. Kosi J. Avotri and Nella P. Avotri, authors of Child of Polygamy.

Good day Dr. and Mrs. Avotri and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri: We are delighted and honored to participate.

Norm:
Why did you feel compelled to write this book and how did you get the inspiration for this book?

We have the impression, (right or wrong), that people outside Africa do not know much about Africans, and do not have many books written by Africans, from which to obtain authentic information. We think our book will provide some of that information in an entertaining manner.

Norm:
The book reads more like a biography than a novel. Was that your intention? Why did you make that choice?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
The short answer is yes. The information in the book can be provided in a textbook, but that will limit its use only to “students”. A biography may work, but we felt that a biography of an unknown African girl will not fare well in a market where many famous people and celebrities have biographies circulating. Thirdly we do not want to offend any person who may feel treated unfairly. A novel gives us the freedom to provide information that is true but not totally accurate in its detail.

Norm:
How much real-life did you put into the book? Is there much “you” in there?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
All of the “skeleton” of the book is real-life, though all the events did not occur exactly in the order presented in the book. Most of the events described were observed or experienced by one of us, but none of the characters represent us.

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
This is our first book and we had a lot of apprehension about writing it and exposing ourselves to public criticism for any deficiencies reviewers and the reading public may find. It took several years for us to decide that any criticism will be worthwhile if some people find the book informative and entertaining.

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
My wife’s answer is definitely yes, but I feel otherwise. I think polygamy is a social practice that is acceptable to some cultures and individuals but not to others. The practice is declining spontaneously because of changing economic realities. In societies that still practice it, polygamy (like adultery) should be discouraged but not criminalized by declaring it illegal.

Norm:
What is the underlying message or theme of the book? What do you hope readers will carry away after reading your book?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
We hope that readers will recognize that Africans have reasons for doing what they do, even if they sound “primitive” to outsiders. Secondly, we hope that readers will see how traditional societies maintain social justice and peace without prisons and executions. Thirdly readers will appreciate that family life and problems are similar in both monogamous and polygamous families

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
Not much. We were both raised in the society and know individuals who fit the characters we wrote about. However we did not include much physical description of the characters but concentrated on what they did and said.

Norm:
Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
Since we personally observed or heard about events described we did not have to do much research beyond verifying dates and years.

Norm:
You include some very detailed dialogues in the book. Where did that dialogue come from?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
The dialogues represent our recollections of what people in the society we grew up in would typically say under the circumstances described.

Norm:
Do you have anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Dr. and Mrs. Avotri:
There is more to say about Safia and her society. The people really live their religion, and the conflict between their traditional beliefs and Christian beliefs is an ongoing personal conflict for many people.

Interview with Kosi J. Avotri

Child of Polygamy
Kosi J. Avotri, MD and Nella P. Avotri
AuthorHouse (2005)
ISBN 1420873067
Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (8/06)

Reader Views is talking with Kosi J. Avotri, MD, one of the authors of the new novel, “Child of Polygamy.” Kosi is being interviewed by Juanita Watson, Assistant Editor of Reader Views.

Juanita: Thanks for talking with us today, Kosi. Would you please tell us the storyline of your new book “Child of Polygamy”?

Kosi: Readers who like adventure in reading and are open-minded or willing to be surprised should be excited to read this book. They will learn about the practice of polygamy as well as the culture and traditional beliefs of the Ewe people in eastern Ghana (West Africa) through the growing experiences of the main character. They learn, along with Safia, the last-born daughter of a polygamous and multi-religious family that has been broken and separated by illness and death.

Juanita: What significant issues do you address throughout your book as Safia, the young girl, grows up in her unique situation?

Kosi: In the book we discuss Safia’s life in general and a lot of family and society issues including the living arrangements of a polygamous household, morality, crime and punishment, suicide, incest, taboos and religious beliefs. We also discuss lighthearted issues like entertainment, dating and courtship and celebrations.

Kosi: I was distressed by the fact that among all the novels I read in middle and secondary school in Ghana, only one was written by an African and described events, people and places I could identify with. That made me decide that if I could, I would write books set in Africa and populate them with African Characters. Medical education and practice caused me to delay my writing ambition until recently. However, wherever we go in the US, people we work or worship with ask many questions about our home, and seem to be surprised, entertained and informed by our answers. And when we decided to write, we chose to write a novel to give ourselves the freedom to provide information that is true but not necessarily “accurate” in all details.

Juanita: Would you tell us about the main characters in your book? Who are they and what are their distinct contributions to the story you tell?

Kosi: The main character is Safia, who’s growing years from birth to age 15 are covered in the novel. Her antagonist is Vena, Safia’s oldest half sister who was her tormentor and detractor. Safia’s mother Mina and her maternal grandfather Mededu are the next two important characters who serve as Safia’s major supporters and educators. Finally, Safia’s father Afreti and stepmother Winnie constitute the third most important group of characters.

Juanita: What effects did the transition from one household to another have on Safia, and her perception of family?

Kosi: The transition was mostly difficult and unpleasant. It made Safia determined to be self-reliant and very selective in her friendships. Though she was somewhat reserved, she still believed in the African concept of the importance and usefulness of an extended family.

Juanita: What was the importance of family and community in 60’s-70’s Ghana? Is it the same today?

Kosi: The (extended) family was the major source of all material, emotional and spiritual support in the 60’s and 70’s. Today, the family ties persist but are weakened a little by dispersal of people and the constraints of the modern economy.

Juanita: Which aspects of traditional culture were changed due to the introduction of Christianity to Africa?

Kosi: Like other cultures, traditional African culture changes in time. However the introduction of Christianity has caused many traditional practices (both good and bad) to be discarded or trivialized. It has also caused people to have internal conflicts because they have to reconcile two belief systems, which are often irreconcilable.

Juanita: Are the roles of Ghanaian women – daughters, mothers, grand-mothers – changing due to the influences of Christianity?

Kosi: My personal belief is that the economy has influenced the role of females more than religion. Though gender roles are clearly defined, females can, and do engage in almost any profession. In our traditional religion women have always had important roles and were not barred from the “priesthood” like some Christian denominations.

Juanita: Just going on the title of your book, you obviously speak of the effects of children in polygamous families. What underlying statements are you making towards polygamy in your book “Child of Polygamy”?

Kosi: Where polygamy is legal it was (and still is) viewed as just another type of marriage. Children in such families have the same problems as in monogamous families. In polygamous families where there is serious conflict between the wives, those problems, like sibling rivalry, can be exacerbated.

Juanita: I have read reviews that suggest “Child of Polygamy” is an inspiring story. What type of inspiration can readers expect though reading your book?

Kosi: If I remember well, it was Kirkus Reviews that describe the book as inspiring and showing the importance of family. I need to talk to the reviewer to know what was particularly inspiring. But for myself, the quiet strength of Safia, and the emotional comfort she derives from her relationship with her grandfather is inspiring. The grandfather’s faith in the traditional religion can be inspiring to people with alternative beliefs.

Juanita: Do you think the outside influences, including Christianity, have had more negative than positive effects on traditional Africa?

Kosi: On balance I would say that the introduction of outside influences has been positive, especially the introduction of formal education, particularly science education. However the wholesale condemnation of all things African as primitive or “fetish” has done a lot of harm to peoples’ self esteem, and caused internal conflicts. I think the Christian concept of reserving punishment for afterlife has caused some criminals to be bolder; no more fearing the African notion of swift retribution.

Juanita: What were you ultimately trying to convey to readers about Ghanaian culture through your book “Child of Polygamy”?

Kosi: We wanted people to see that there was a system and logic that governed most things that Africans did, no matter how strange they may appear to outsiders. We also wanted to show that people can overcome adversity, even under conditions of polygamy.

Juanita: What are some of the cultural aspects that you address in “Child of Polygamy” that may appear strange to outsiders?

Kosi: For people who do not have any experience with African culture, a lot of the book may be surprising. Some aspects that may be particularly surprising to most people include:

Juanita: Would say that one of your objectives was to demystify polygamy?

Kosi: “Demystify” is probably a good description of our treatment of the subject of polygamy. We treated it as the locals treat it; just as another legal form of marriage. We make no attempt at justifying or condemning the practice. We did not want to be diverted from the story by controversy over polygamy and we did not discuss any pro’s and con’s.

Juanita: “Child of Polygamy” is set in the 60’s and 70’s. How has Ghana changed since then, what is it like today in comparison to the Ghana you talk about in your book?

Kosi: The practice of polygamy is decreasing, mostly as a result of economic change and the scattering of people. While life in rural areas may resemble that of the time described in the book, the cities are vastly different. You may not be able to tell the difference between life in the cities and that in any major city of the world.

Juanita: What were your experiences growing up in Ghana? Are there any similarities to the one portrayed in “Child of Polygamy”?

Kosi: Though none of the characters in the book represents me or my wife, we observed or participated in many events and activities described in the book. As in any novel, some scenes have been modified to fit the flow of the story.

Juanita: Kosi, how can readers find out more about you and your endeavors?

Kosi: We have a web site, http://www.avotribooks.com/.

Juanita: Kosi, thanks for talking with us today. “Child of Polygamy” is getting great reviews and we hope much success for you. Do you have any last words for your readers?

Kosi: I would say to the audience “thanks for taking the time to read our interview. I hope you will have fun reading our book. I know it will be adventurous. Visit our web site at http://www.avotribooks.com/ for more information. Feel free to provide us with feedback at my email address http://b5.mail.yahoo.com/ym/readerviews.com/Compose?To=kosiavotri@comcast.net or to write customer reviews at Amazon.com.”

Thanks Juanita for inviting me for this interview. It was a pleasure.

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Dr. Avotri was featured in an interview on WBHM, the NPR affiliate in Birmingham Alabama on 10/26/06. The interview can be heard at www.wbhm.org, Tapestry section of 10/26/06.

Kosi Avotri , MD