Leonie Purchas is a photographer based out of London who has captured some very unique stories of families from all over ranging from the depths of Cuba, Paris, Los Angeles and Rome. The family lifestyles are heartfelt and more complex than we can imagine. Not one story is the same yet visibily you may able to see some similarities. Here is one story of the Tall family based out of Paris and who live a polygamous lifestyle:

Tall Abdou who had come to France from Mali in the 70's leaving his wife Tall Feinda in Africa. He legally married Tall Hamssatou after a few years living in Paris, who had already been married and had 8 children. A few years later his original wife Tall Feinda joined them in Paris and together they now have 15 children.



Three years ago Abdou and Feinda were obliged to divorce in order to keep their work permits as a result of the government's new Pasqua laws. The two women now live 10 minutes walk from each other in the Paris suburb of Clichy-Sous-Bois. Their husband now spends three nights at a time with each. The children, grandchildren and the rest of the extended family also move between the mothers and regard both apartments as home.




Nicolas Sarkozy, the French Interior Minister, cited polygamy as the cause of the 2005 riots famously stating ‘Have you had enough of this scum? We are going to get rid of them for you.’

Leonie Purchas Website