Jabhad Posted April 6, 2006 source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4720457.stm An Ethiopian man with 11 wives and 77 children is urging people not to follow his example and is giving advice on family planning and contraception. After seeing his fortune disappear under the competing demands of his enormous family, Ayattu Nure, 56, even urges people not to get married. "I want my children to be farmers but I have no land, I want them to go to school but I have no money," he says. But his eldest son has not heeded Mr Ayattu's advice and he has three wives. Share wealth Seven of Mr Ayattu's wives live in huts around his compound, which are in urgent need of renovation. Another four live in huts on the other side of the valley in Giwe Abossa village, 300km from the capital, Addis Ababa in Arsi region. He says he cannot remember all his children's names but tries to work out who they are from their mothers and which huts they live in. Mr Ayattu says he used to be rich and wanted to share his wealth around, which is why he took so many wives. But now he struggles to feed them all. "I feel like killing myself when I see my hungry children whom I cannot help," Mr Ayattu says. His wives have given birth to more than 100 children but 23 have died. School photos However, he blames Ethiopia's government for not doing more to help him look after all his children. People see me as a funny man, but there is no fun in my condition Ayattu Nure "I know I have done wrong by marrying many wives and begetting many children but I think I deserve help from the government." But his biggest complaint at the moment is with the authorities of the local school which 40 of his children now attend. They want photographs for each of his children's files, which will further deplete his meagre resources. He says that he tries to share his time evenly between his wives and children, adding that although quarrels and squabbles are common, they try to solve their problems amicably. "People see me as a funny man, but there is no fun in my condition. I am a desperate man struggling to survive," he says. Although Mr Ayattu's eldest son, Dagne Ayattu, does not have a job, at the age of 33, he has seven children and is about to marry his fourth wife. But he says he will not have as many children or wives as his father. "People see me as a funny man, but there is no fun in my condition. I am a desperate man struggling to survive," he says. After seeing his fortune disappear under the competing demands of his enormous family, Ayattu Nure, 56, even urges people not to get married. ummm what, I did not hear that last part Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nemo Posted April 6, 2006 What the? Damn... this is one family I will not be messing around with Imagine the support you will get if you get into a fight....siblings here we come..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Passion_4_Fashion Posted April 6, 2006 for the love of God.... :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodman Posted April 6, 2006 Suicide if u ask me :eek: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khayr Posted April 6, 2006 Sounds like a Biblical story like Nabi Dauud (a.s.). This is hiliarious....the man has patience and stamina. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pure blood Posted April 6, 2006 Oh how my granfather would love to be that man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zafir Posted April 7, 2006 He says he cannot remember all his children's names but tries to work out who they are from their mothers and which huts they live in. Wasn’t that how our great grandfathers gave descriptions to our grandfathers? “war teebaa ku dhashay wiilyahoow†Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jabhad Posted April 7, 2006 Although Mr Ayattu's eldest son, Dagne Ayattu, does not have a job, at the age of 33, he has seven children and is about to marry his fourth wife. Eldest son age = 33 Wifes= 3+1 soon to join Kids= 7 Father age=56 wife=11 kids=77 Age difference = 23 Difference in number of children=70 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xiinfaniin Posted April 7, 2006 ^^Very industrious indeed. Raggeedii iga dheh ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
- Femme - Posted April 7, 2006 Originally posted by Khayr: Sounds like a Biblical story like Nabi Dauud (a.s.). Surely, you wouldn't compare that id!ot man to a Prophet of God would you? Didn't expect that from you of all people. Nabi Dawuud and him shouldn't be even mentioned in the same sentence. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Intel Posted April 7, 2006 that's what i'm talkin bout :cool: baarqab walle :eek: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
-Lily- Posted April 7, 2006 Wow. This is funny sad and nice at the same time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jabhad Posted April 8, 2006 Thats what the west calls HIGH FERTILITY RATE, but we know its the mercy of Allah upon his people. O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware. (Holy Qur'an 49:13) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites