Polygamy
Practice of marrying multiple spouses, most commonly polygyny.
Polygamy (from Late Greek *polygamía*, "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. It is most commonly divided into three forms: polygyny, where a man has several wives simultaneously; polyandry, where a woman has several husbands simultaneously; and group marriage, involving multiple husbands and multiple wives. In contrast, monogamy is marriage between only two parties. The term "polygamy" is often used in a de facto sense, applied regardless of legal recognition; in many countries, law permits only monogamous marriage (making bigamy illegal), but adultery is not criminalized, creating a situation of de facto polygamy without legal status for unofficial spouses.
Worldwide, societies vary widely in their treatment of polygamy. According to the Ethnographic Atlas Codebook, among 1,231 societies surveyed between 1960 and 1980, 588 practiced frequent polygyny, 453 occasional polygyny, 186 were monogamous, and only 4 had polyandry—though more recent research identified polyandry in 53 communities, suggesting it is more common than previously believed. Polygyny is most prevalent in a region known as the "polygamy belt" in West and Central Africa, with Burkina Faso, Mali, Gambia, Niger, and Nigeria having the highest rates. Its prevalence within a culture often correlates with social class and socioeconomic status.
The term "polygamy" can refer to different relational types depending on context. Marital polygamy involves being married to multiple people; social polygamy involves living with, having sex with, and cooperating with multiple partners to acquire resources; sexual polygamy refers to having multiple sexual partners; and genetic polygamy is indicated by children with different paternity. Biologists and behavioral ecologists often use "polygamy" to mean a lack of sexual or genetic exclusivity, while social scientists typically mean marital or social polygamy. Defining polygamy outside legal contexts is complicated by cultural assumptions about monogamy, which can range from lifelong sexual exclusivity to serial monogamy (successive exclusive relationships). Anthropologists describe humans as "mildly polygynous" or "monogamous with polygynous tendencies." Genetic evidence suggests that monogamy increased in the last 5,000–10,000 years, coinciding with the rise of agriculture, non-communal land ownership, and inherit
- field
- Marriage practices, sociobiology, anthropology
- known_for
- Practice of marrying multiple spouses; polygyny is the most common form; highest prevalence in Burkina Faso, Mali, Gambia, Niger, and Nigeria
- forms
- Polygyny, polyandry, group marriage
- related_terms
- Monogamy, bigamy, serial monogamy, marital polygamy, social polygamy, sexual polygamy, genetic polygamy
Lore & Background
Polygamy is defined in multiple ways depending on context. Marital polygamy occurs when an individual is married to more than one person; social polygamy involves multiple partners living together and cooperating for resources; sexual polygamy refers to multiple sexual partners; genetic polygamy results in children with different paternity. Biologists and behavioral ecologists often use polygamy to mean lack of sexual or genetic exclusivity, while social scientists typically mean marital or social polygamy. Anthropologists characterize humans as "mildly polygynous" or "monogamous with polygynous tendencies."
Reader's Guide
Polygamy's significance lies in its widespread historical and contemporary practice, especially polygyny in West and Central Africa, where countries like Burkina Faso (36%), Mali (34%), and Nigeria (28%) have high prevalence. Polygamy correlates with social class and socioeconomic status. In many countries, law recognizes only monogamous marriage, but de facto polygamy occurs through non-legal recognition of multiple partners. Anthropologist Jack Goody linked polygyny in sub-Saharan Africa to shifting horticulture and female labor, though other scholars emphasize child mortality and economic shocks. Islamic law (sharia) allows polygyny, and some countries recognize polygamous marriages only for Muslims.
Did You Know?
- The 'polygamy belt' in West and Central Africa includes Burkina Faso, Mali, Gambia, Niger, and Nigeria.
- Polyandry was found in only 4 societies in the Ethnographic Atlas Codebook, but later research identified it in 53 communities.
- Serial monogamy can be considered a form of polygamy for anthropological reasons.
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