Oroonoko Explored
African Marriage and Concubines
In Oroonoko, one of the easily recognizable cultural trademarks of Coramantien society is that the king takes for himself many wives and concubines. Even though not explicitly shown in the novel, polygamy was a common practice throughout many African cultures, including most West African kingdoms, which Coramantien emulates. Having many wives and concubines depended on a man’s social status and wealth, as he was expected to provide for their well being just as they took care of his household and provided him many children.
"Imoinda" Engraving, From 1807 edition of Oroonoko
For Oroonoko, however, marriage is a sacred union between a man and woman, and demonstrates noble and honorable traits that would probably have prevented him from desiring women beyond Imoinda. In this way he contrasts a great deal with his grandfather the king, who shows the more traditional upper class tendency to have as many women in a household as is feasible. Women, however were certainly subjugated by their men, as it was common in West African Kingdoms for women to prepare meals for their husbands and not eat until afterwards. Also, if they were caught in the act of adultery, they might be sold into slavery just like Imoinda (Rogers 4). Even though Oroonoko is a very young man, and we cannot assume what his future might have been as king, his honorable thoughts of marriage are those highly valued by Europeans and yet not demonstrated by his society.