Answer:
West African families could have hundreds of members because many believed that all people had a common ancestor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Family is of utmost importance in the life and culture of West Africans. The reason why their families can often comprise hundreds of members is the fact that anyone who can be traced to a common ancestor is considered a relative. Among the different peoples of West Africa, some will trace their heritage through their father's bloodline, while others will do it through their mother's.