In science, such a phenomenon as polygamy was called "polygyny", and it originated in ancient times. Polygamous marriage is caused by biological and social factors. For some ethnic groups, this was caused by the problem of procreation, and there are countries where polygamy is a sign of wealth and high social status. Let's try to understand the difficult family relationships of some cultures, and visit countries where polygamy is allowed.
In which countries polygamy is allowed:
1
United Arab Emirates
Islamic laws based on the Qur'an allow UAE men to have no more than four wives. One of the conditions of such marriages is the high affluence of a man.
A husband must be rich in order to be able to support his wives. They should live in abundance and not deny anything to themselves. Men of medium and low income live in monogamous families. The law allows a woman to divorce, but this happens very rarely.
2
Syria
For a Syrian man, family is the foundation of life. Young men are prepared for marriage in Syria in advance, and marriage is discussed between relatives long before the wedding.
A man must confirm his financial situation, and, deciding to have several wives, he must be sure that he can provide them with a decent life. Girls in Syria get married quite early, and they are not very worried that she is not the only one.
3
Afghanistan
Among the peoples inhabiting Afghanistan, polygamy is a historical and national tradition. Over the long history of polygamous marriage, Afghan families have developed their good traditions and rules.
All wives live peacefully, and children are considered common. From each child receive an equal amount of affection and love. Between wives strictly distributed responsibilities for housekeeping. There may be disagreements, but all women of the same man do not consider themselves rivals.
4
Egypt
In a developed African country, polygamy is more likely a tribute to cultural tradition. In the country of polygamous families, only 5%. Such a small figure is due to material factors.
According to the law, a polygamist must treat and keep his faithful equally. If one receives expensive jewelry as a gift, everyone else should receive mixed gifts. There is one more point. If the first wife cannot give birth, you can marry another woman without divorcing the first.
5
Saudi Arabia
Sharia law in force in the country significantly limits women's social and family rights. For any disobedience to her husband, or violation of strict rules, the fair sex is severely punished.
Polygamy is permitted, but here, as in many Muslim countries, the husband financially provides all his wives. A married woman can communicate only with her husband, as well as with close male relatives.
6
Algeria
Law in Algeria permits polygamy, but there are social restrictions. First, in order to replenish your “harem” with a second wife, the spouse must obtain consent first.
Secondly, a man must provide for all his wives. The court considers the groom's income, and decides to allow polygamy. Algerian men are allowed to marry women of any religion and nationality, but children born to an Algerian family accept only Islam.
7
Pakistan
In 1965, a law was passed in a Muslim country that allowed polygamy. There is a note in the law. All subsequent husband marriages are concluded only with the consent of the first spouse.
Islamic laws strictly regulate the relations of boys and girls. The decision on the wedding is made by relatives, and marriages are most often made within the same clan. The youth of Pakistan began to adopt the Western tradition of dating and courtship. But all this happens secretly so as not to compromise the family.
8
Congo
The African Civil Code allows men to have more than one wife. The first wife a man takes as his wife becomes the eldest.
The spouse gives permission for the subsequent marriages of her fiancé. It happens that she is actively involved in the search for the future beloved of her husband. Civil law also regulates relations between spouses. The husband must support his wives, provide protection.
9
Myanmar
The following is on our list on thebiggest.ru, the state where Buddhism is practiced. Here, the stronger sex is allowed to marry several women. It is noteworthy that in society such marriages do not favor, but nevertheless they happen.
The authorities went to the resolution of polygamy due to demographic inequality. In the average Myanmar settlement, 80 unmarried women account for 8 men. The state also encourages the birth of children. A family can have as many babies as it is able to raise and provide.
10
Nigeria
The right to polygamy, permitted by the Civil Code, is enjoyed mainly by men who profess Islam. The Muslim population lives compactly in the north of the African country.
The law allows four women to marry, but Nigerians often violate this rule of law. For example, Muhammad Bello Masaba, who contained 84 wives, is considered the record holder. Men living in the south and central part of Nigeria prefer traditional marriage.
11
Brunei
The country, whose name is translated as "abode of the world", lives according to strict Muslim rules. According to the laws, polygamy is not prohibited, and even the Sultan of Brunei set the fashion for polygamy.
The first wife of the Sultan calmly perceived the subsequent marriage of the ruler with a stewardess and a well-known journalist. Sharia law is harsh, and therefore a traitor in this country can be freely stoned.
12
Senegal
Polygamy in Senegal is due to demographic imbalance. The female population significantly prevails over the male. Another factor is the Muslim faith, which does not prohibit such marriages.
Polygamy in the country is an indicator of the wealth of a man. He cannot marry until he has built his own house, in which he will bring a chosen one. There is a tradition to choose a wife as a little girl, and play a wedding when she grows up.
13
Guinea
In a West African country, polygamy was officially banned until 2018. But such cases, despite the ban, were common in religious marriages.
After long and heated debates, the country's authorities adopted amendments to the family law. According to the amendments, a man can marry more than one woman. Women's public organizations opposed. But individual protests could not resist the centuries-old tradition.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru there is an interesting article about the 15 strangest religions that really exist.
14
Tanzania
There are many single women in an African country who cannot marry and have a baby. The birth of children outside of marriage is condemned by society.
To solve the problem of loneliness among the fair sex, the president of Tanzania urged men to marry two or more women. This is officially prohibited, but no one is going to punish the violation.
15
Butane
Polygamous marriages in the kingdom are not permitted at the legislative level, but polygamy is quite common in a small Asian country. This phenomenon has its own national characteristics.
The fourth king, Jigme Singhie Wangchuck, who ruled from 1972 to 2006, was married to four sisters. Bhutanese men can marry all the girls of the same family, but always with the consent of the first. Such a family usually lives in the house of the married sisters.
Conclusion
Having originated in ancient times, polygyny remains a fairly common phenomenon of modern life. Polygamy is officially permitted in 50 countries of the world, and only one of them is non-Muslim. This is a mysterious Buddhist Myanmar. Note that the institution of marriage distinguishes between two types of polygamy. The first is sorral, when all the wives are sisters, and the second is a species in which wives are not blood relatives.
So we found out in which countries polygamy is allowed. If you know other countries or regions where this is practiced, write about it in the comments. TherBiggest is waiting for your thoughts on this.