Angolan polygamist with 281 children, 250 grandchildren from 47 wives, dies at 73

…battled prostate cancer

…mass of mourners defy COVID-19 ban to pay last respect

A celebrated Angolan polygamist, the late Pa Francisco Tchikuteny Sabalo, who engaged in unbridled procreation and had a community of 281 children from 47 wives, has bid the world a good bye at the age of 73.

The obsequies were held on Mungongo Island of Angola, Southwestern African country, on April 19 with more than thousand mourners and sympathizers massing in violation of Angolan President João Lourenço’s directive banning large gatherings as part of measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

Sabalo, popularly known as Pai Grande or Big Dad, was a popular polygamist.

According to reports, 125 of the children had predeceased him, leaving him with 156 surviving children and 250 grandchildren.

Pai Grande, who died at the age of 73 after battling prostate cancer for over a year, was initially taken to the country’s capital city of Luanda as well as other places for treatment, but was returned home when his condition worsened.

“His return home was to ensure that if God called him, at least he would die beside the children and their mothers,” one of his sons said.

A dedicated family man and respected personality in his community, Pai Grande was described as “a complete human being” and an advocate for education.

Sabalo had said years before he passed on that it was his wish for some of his children to take up careers in science and technology, revealed he spent over $1,500 on school supplies annually.

In fulfillment of his desires, three of his daughters currently are studying medical sciences and two sons are learning computer science, all at the high school level.

Tributes from other family and community members also poured in during the funeral with his first wife vowing to do everything she can to keep the family together in accordance to her husband’s wish.

“I will do anything to keep his children fed and OK,” she said.

Pai Grande’s family live on subsistence farming, growing crops and rearing livestock and they also generate revenue from their sales.