One man’s journey of having multiple wives might seem unbelievable to many, but for Mzee Ernesto Muinuchi Kapinga, it has been a way of life. At the height of his married life, Kapinga had as many as 20 wives. Today, he lives with 16 wives, 104 children, and 144 grandchildren.
Kapinga’s story is not only remarkable for the sheer size of his family but also for the deep sense of responsibility he carries. In many African households, the husband traditionally acts as the primary provider for his family. Now, imagine the challenge of being responsible for the well-being of 16 wives and 104 children—a family large enough to fill an entire school.
His journey started with a request from his father, who wanted him to expand their small family. Kapinga took this advice to heart and set out to build his own legacy. His path toward a vast family began during a time when several African nations were fighting for independence in 1961. In the town of Njombe, Tanzania, Kapinga’s first child was born in 1962, marking the beginning of his journey to fatherhood.
He shared, “I was a young man then. I had just married my first wife in 1961, and my first child was born in 1962. But my father told me one wife was not enough. He paid the dowry for five of my wives—he wanted to see our family name endure. The rest, I added myself.”
Interestingly, Kapinga married sisters, and among them, he remains married to seven blood sisters who all live together in harmony. One of the wives explained that seeing her sister happy in the marriage made her feel secure and hopeful for her own future. She said, “I saw my sister living with him. She was happy. She had food, she had security. And I thought to myself, if my sister is happy, why wouldn’t I be? Seven of us are sisters. We live together and raise our children together.”
To ensure peace within such a large household, each wife has her own room and kitchen. They prepare food for their own children but gather as a family to eat, which prevents unnecessary competition and jealousy. For food security, every member of the family contributes to farming on their land. Additionally, a grand family meeting is held once a year to address grievances and establish new rules.
Kapinga acknowledged, “People think I control everything. But the truth is, the women keep this family together. I am only here to guide them.”
Though he remembers the names of at least 50 of his children, he admits that recalling the others comes only when he sees them. Tragically, Kapinga has lost over 40 children—some to illness and others to accidents. Despite this, he remains resilient. “I have lost 40 children—some to illness, others to accidents. But life moves forward. We mourn, we remember, but we keep going.”
Through all his challenges, Kapinga continues to live with his wives and children, creating a unique family legacy that is both extraordinary and enduring.