In some societies, a man can be married to more than one woman at the same time. The practice is often called polygamy, and it has existed in different parts of the world for centuries. It is associated with particular religious traditions, customary marriage systems, family structures, and historical economic conditions.
For people who grew up in societies where marriage is expected to involve only two people, the idea may raise several questions. Why would a man want more than one wife? Do all his wives live in the same household? How do families decide who marries whom? And do women in these societies have the same freedom to marry multiple husbands?
One important distinction helps explain the subject: when a man has multiple wives at the same time, the more precise term is polygyny. Polygamy is the broader term for having more than one spouse at the same time, and it includes other arrangements, such as polyandry, in which a woman has multiple husbands.
What exactly is polygamy?
Polygamy is a marriage arrangement in which a person has more than one spouse at the same time, where the arrangement is socially or legally recognised.
There are different forms of polygamy, but two are particularly important.
Polygyny: This is when one man has more than one wife at the same time. It is the most common form of polygamy documented around the world.
Polyandry: This is when one woman has more than one husband at the same time. It is much less common and has been documented in particular communities, including some Himalayan communities.
Another term worth understanding is monogamy. This means a marriage involving two spouses only.
It is also important not to confuse polygamy with serial monogamy. Serial monogamy occurs when someone has a series of marriages over their lifetime, but only one spouse at a time.
For example, a man who divorces his first wife and later marries another woman is practising serial monogamy, not polygyny. [1]
Where is polygyny practised around the world?
Polygyny has been documented in Africa, parts of the Middle East, Asia and some religious communities elsewhere.
However, it is not equally common everywhere. A country may legally permit a man to marry multiple wives even though most men in that country have only one wife.
Pew Research Center’s analysis of household arrangements across 130 countries and territories found that approximately 2% of the global population lived in polygamous households. The practice was most concentrated in parts of West and Central Africa. The research reported that 11% of people in sub-Saharan Africa lived in households involving more than one spouse. [2]
Here are some of the regions and communities where polygyny has been documented.
1. West Africa
West Africa is one of the regions where polygyny has a particularly long history and remains relatively common in some communities.
The practice is found among different ethnic, religious and cultural groups. It is not limited to Muslims or to one particular ethnic group.
In some communities, traditional marriage systems allow a man to marry multiple women, provided that the marriages meet the relevant customary or legal requirements.
Countries where polygyny is particularly visible include:
- Burkina Faso: Polygynous households are relatively common among different religious communities, including Muslims, Christians and followers of traditional African religions.
- Mali: Polygyny has a significant presence and is recognised within parts of the country’s marriage and family systems.
- Nigeria: The practice exists among some Muslim communities and various ethnic groups whose customary marriage systems permit it.
- Guinea: Polygyny is documented among a substantial proportion of married women.
- The Gambia: Polygynous marriage is recognised within certain religious and customary systems.
- Senegal: Polygyny is practised in some Muslim communities and is recognised under the country’s family law.
Pew’s 2019 household research reported that 36% of people in Burkina Faso, 34% in Mali and 28% in Nigeria lived in polygamous households. These are historical estimates from the research period, not current figures or the percentage of men who personally have multiple wives. [2]
2. Ghana
Polygyny has a long history in Ghana and is found in some customary and religious marriage arrangements.
Among some Akan, Ewe, Dagomba and other communities, traditional marriage systems have historically allowed men to marry more than one woman.
In some settings, marriage has traditionally involved the wider family, with responsibilities and expectations extending beyond the husband and wife.
Polygyny has also existed among some Muslim communities in Ghana, where Islamic teachings permit a man to have up to four wives under specified conditions.
However, not all people within these communities practise polygyny. Many Ghanaian men have one wife, and attitudes towards multiple marriages differ between individuals, families and generations.
Ghana’s legal system also makes an important distinction between customary and statutory marriages. A marriage contracted under the Marriage Act as a monogamous marriage does not allow a husband to take another wife while that marriage remains in force. Customary marriages have a different legal framework, and the applicable rules depend on how the marriage was contracted. [3]
3. Senegal
Senegal is one of the countries where polygyny is a recognised part of the marriage system.
The country has a predominantly Muslim population, and Islamic marriage traditions have influenced family life.
Under Senegalese family law, couples can select a monogamous or polygamous marriage option. A man who chooses the polygamous option may marry additional wives, subject to the applicable legal rules.
The practice is also connected to family expectations and social traditions in some communities.
However, it is important not to assume that all Senegalese men have multiple wives or that every Muslim family supports polygyny.
Pew’s research identifies Senegal as part of the West African region where polygamous households are relatively common. [2, 4]
4. The Maasai communities of Kenya and Tanzania
The Maasai are pastoralist communities found mainly in Kenya and Tanzania.
A pastoralist is someone whose livelihood traditionally depends on raising and managing livestock, such as cattle, goats and sheep.
Historically, polygyny has been part of some Maasai marriage arrangements.
In these settings, marriage has been connected to family relationships, children, livestock, household labour and social standing.
A man with sufficient livestock and resources may be in a position to support more than one wife and the children from those marriages.
In some traditional households, each wife may have her own house within a larger family settlement. The husband, children and co-wives remain connected through shared family responsibilities.
However, Maasai communities are not culturally uniform. Education, employment, urbanisation, religious influences and changing economic conditions have affected marriage arrangements. It would be inaccurate to assume that all Maasai men have several wives.
5. Chad and parts of Central Africa
Polygyny is also documented in Chad and several Central African communities.
Pew’s research found that 21% of Christians in Chad lived in polygamous households, compared with 10% of Muslims in the same analysis. This is a useful reminder that the practice cannot be explained through Islam alone. [2]
Traditional marriage customs, economic circumstances, family structures and religious beliefs can all influence whether a community accepts multiple wives.
6. Some Muslim communities in the Middle East and Asia
Polygyny is permitted under Islamic teachings, subject to conditions, and is legally recognised in several Muslim-majority countries.
Examples include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan and Bangladesh, although the legal requirements and actual prevalence differ considerably.
In Islamic tradition, a man may marry up to four wives, provided that he can fulfil the obligations associated with the marriages, particularly fair treatment and financial responsibility.
The relevant teaching is found in verse 4:3 of the Qur’an.
However, permission does not mean that every Muslim man is expected to have multiple wives.
In fact, Pew Research found that fewer than 1% of Muslim men lived with more than one spouse in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Egypt in the data it analysed. [2]
This shows the difference between what a religious tradition permits and what people actually practise.
7. Fundamentalist Mormon groups in the United States
Polygyny has also existed in certain Christian-derived religious movements in North America.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the LDS Church, practised plural marriage during the 19th century.
The church officially discontinued the practice in 1890 and later took disciplinary action against members who continued to practise it.
However, some independent fundamentalist Mormon groups separated from the mainstream church and continued to practise plural marriage.
These groups should not be confused with the mainstream LDS Church, which does not permit its members to enter into plural marriages.
This example demonstrates that polygyny has not been restricted to African or Muslim communities. It has also appeared in particular religious movements elsewhere. [2, 5]
Why do some cultures allow men to marry multiple wives?
There is no single explanation for polygyny. Different communities have developed the practice for different social, economic and cultural reasons.
1. To have more children and expand the family
In some traditional societies, having many children was considered important for the survival and strength of a family.
Children could contribute to farming, livestock management, household activities and the continuation of the family name.
In agricultural societies, larger households could provide more labour for cultivating land, harvesting crops and managing family property.
UN Women’s research on families and marriage explains that polygyny has historically been associated with agricultural societies and high fertility, although its prevalence has changed alongside improvements in child survival and other social developments. [6]
2. To increase social status and prestige
In some societies, having several wives has historically been regarded as a sign of wealth, influence or social standing.
A man who could support several households might be viewed as financially successful or influential.
In communities where marriage involves livestock, property or other resources, a man’s ability to marry multiple women could also demonstrate his economic position.
This does not mean every man with several wives is wealthy. Some polygynous families experience financial difficulties, and the costs of supporting multiple households can be substantial.
3. To provide labour for farming and household activities
In certain agricultural and pastoralist societies, multiple wives and their children may contribute to the family’s economic activities.
Depending on the community, household responsibilities may include farming, food processing, livestock care, trading, childcare and domestic work.
The work can be shared among family members, allowing the household to manage several responsibilities.
However, this arrangement can also create unequal workloads, especially where women are expected to perform most domestic and agricultural labour.
4. Religious beliefs and teachings
Religion is another important influence.
Islam is one of the most widely known religious traditions that permits a man to marry more than one wife, subject to conditions.
The Qur’an permits up to four wives in verse 4:3 but also emphasises the responsibility to treat them justly.
Some Muslim scholars interpret this as a serious restriction rather than an encouragement to take multiple wives.
Other religious traditions have historical references to men with multiple wives. The Hebrew Bible, for example, describes figures such as Abraham, Jacob and David who had multiple wives or partners.
However, historical examples should not be confused with the marriage rules followed by contemporary religious communities. Most modern Christian churches do not permit polygamous marriage. [2, 6]
5. To strengthen relationships between families
Marriage can create relationships between families, clans and communities.
In some traditional societies, marrying into another family helps establish social connections, mutual obligations and economic cooperation.
A man who marries women from different families may strengthen relationships between those families.
This can be especially important in communities where family alliances influence land ownership, inheritance, political influence or access to resources.
6. Historical population pressures and social conditions
Some anthropological explanations connect polygyny to historical conditions such as warfare, epidemics, famine and unequal mortality between men and women.
In certain circumstances, a community may have had fewer marriageable men than women.
Some societies developed marriage arrangements that allowed one man to have multiple wives.
However, this explanation should not be treated as a universal reason for polygyny. The practice also exists in societies where there is no unusual shortage of men.
Anthropological research identifies several interacting influences, including economic resources, social status, family structure and local marriage expectations. [1, 7]
How do families work when a man has more than one wife?
This is one of the most interesting aspects of polygyny.
People sometimes imagine that all the wives must live in one large house with their husband and children.
That is not necessarily the case.
Living arrangements vary considerably between communities.
1. Each wife may have her own house
In some traditional African communities, each wife has a separate house or living space within a larger family compound.
A family compound is a shared residential area where members of an extended family live in separate or connected buildings.
The husband may spend time with each wife according to an agreed arrangement.
Each wife may manage her own household and raise her children, while the wider family shares some resources and responsibilities.
2. The wives may share one household
In other arrangements, the husband and his wives live in the same house or residential compound.
They may share certain facilities and household responsibilities.
However, the exact arrangement depends on the family’s resources, the local culture and the preferences of the people involved.
3. The husband may divide his time between households
Where wives have separate homes, the husband may visit each household in turn.
In some Islamic marriage arrangements, equal treatment and fairness in the allocation of time and material support are important expectations.
However, the practical arrangements differ between families and communities.
OpenStax’s anthropology textbook describes how some polygynous households organise wives in separate homes while maintaining cooperation in childcare and the sharing of resources. It also notes that some families have a hierarchy based on the order in which wives married. [1]
What is the difference between a first wife and a second wife?
In some polygynous households, the order in which women marry the same man can influence their social position.
The first wife may be known as the senior wife, while women who marry the husband later may be described as junior wives.
However, these titles and their significance vary across cultures.
In some families, the first wife may have greater authority in household matters or may be expected to help organise family responsibilities.
In others, the wives may have more equal roles.
The senior wife may also have responsibilities towards younger co-wives, depending on local traditions.
It is important to remember that the status of a wife does not necessarily reflect her personal influence, financial independence or happiness within the marriage.
Do the wives live peacefully together?
Sometimes they do, but not always.
Women in polygynous marriages may develop close relationships and cooperate in raising children, managing households and supporting one another.
Some families share childcare and domestic responsibilities, allowing the wives to assist each other.
However, polygyny can also create tension.
Potential sources of conflict include:
- Competition for the husband’s attention and time.
- Unequal financial support.
- Disagreements over household responsibilities.
- Differences in the treatment of children.
- Conflicts over inheritance and property.
- Jealousy and disagreements between co-wives.
- Disputes about the husband’s decision to marry another woman.
UN Women’s research notes that some women benefit from shared resources and domestic or agricultural labour in polygynous households, while others have to negotiate difficult relationships with co-wives and compete for limited resources. [6]
Therefore, it would be misleading to describe every polygynous household as either peaceful or unhappy. Individual experiences differ.
Are women allowed to have multiple husbands too?
This is where the difference between polygyny and polyandry becomes important.
Polygyny allows one man to have multiple wives.
Polyandry allows one woman to have multiple husbands.
Polyandry is much rarer, but anthropologists have documented it in particular communities.
One well-known example is fraternal polyandry among the Nyinba people of Nepal.
In this arrangement, a woman may marry several brothers. The brothers share a wife and maintain a family household.
Historically, this arrangement helped prevent family land from being divided into smaller portions between brothers.
It also allowed family resources to remain under shared ownership.
This is different from polygyny, where one man has multiple wives. [1, 8]
The existence of polyandry demonstrates that societies have developed different marriage arrangements, even though the practice is far less common than polygyny.
Is polygamy legal everywhere?
No.
The legal position differs from country to country.
Some countries recognise polygamous marriages under civil, religious or customary law. Others prohibit them completely.
There are also countries where civil law does not recognise multiple marriages but customary or religious arrangements continue to exist in some communities.
For example, some countries allow couples to select a polygamous marriage arrangement when they marry, while others impose conditions such as financial capacity, court approval or notification of existing wives.
Pew Research Center reported that more than 50 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East but also in Asia, permitted polygamy to some degree in its analysis. However, the existence of a law permitting polygamy does not mean that the practice is widespread in that country. [2]
Legal recognition is also important because it can determine a wife’s rights to property, inheritance, maintenance and divorce.
What are the criticisms and challenges associated with polygyny?
Although polygyny is accepted in some communities, it has also attracted criticism, particularly concerning gender equality and women’s rights.
1. Unequal marriage rights
In most societies where polygyny is legally or traditionally accepted, men are permitted to marry multiple wives, while women are not given the same right to marry multiple husbands.
This creates an unequal system of marriage rights.
UN Women has identified this inequality as a significant concern in discussions about polygamous marriage and women’s rights. [6]
2. Financial pressure
Having multiple wives and children can place considerable financial demands on a husband.
He may have to provide housing, food, healthcare, education and other necessities for several households.
If he does not have sufficient resources, the wives and children may experience financial hardship.
3. Unequal treatment of wives
A husband may promise to treat all wives fairly, but maintaining equality in practice can be difficult.
Differences in income, attention, household arrangements and emotional relationships may create resentment.
4. Competition and emotional stress
Some women may feel that they are competing with co-wives for their husband’s time, affection and financial support.
This can create emotional stress and conflict within the family.
However, some women report positive experiences, including companionship and shared responsibilities. The experience depends heavily on the circumstances of the marriage.
5. Children’s welfare and inheritance disputes
Children in polygynous households may have to navigate complicated family relationships.
Disagreements can arise over inheritance, financial support, parental attention and the treatment of children from different mothers.
Where family property is involved, disputes may become particularly difficult.
Myths vs facts about polygamy
| Myth | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| Every Muslim man has several wives | False. Polygyny is permitted under Islamic teachings but is not practised by every Muslim man |
| Polygamy is practised only in Africa | False. It has also been documented in parts of Asia, the Middle East and some religious communities in North America |
| Every man with multiple wives is wealthy | False. Supporting several households can create considerable financial pressure |
| All wives in a polygynous marriage live in the same house | False. Some live in separate homes or separate parts of a family compound |
| Polygamy and polygyny mean exactly the same thing | Not technically. Polygyny refers specifically to one man with multiple wives |
| Women can marry multiple husbands in every society that allows men multiple wives | False. Most systems that permit polygyny do not permit polyandry |
| All co-wives dislike each other | False. Some cooperate and develop close relationships, while others experience conflict |
| Polygyny is equally common in every Muslim-majority country | False. Research shows major differences in actual practice |
| Polygamy is legal in every African country | False. Laws differ, and some countries prohibit it or restrict the forms of marriage they recognise |
Bottom line
Polygyny, the practice in which a man has more than one wife, has existed in different parts of the world for centuries. It is particularly visible in parts of West and Central Africa, but it has also been documented in the Middle East, Asia and certain religious communities in North America.
The reasons behind the practice vary. Some communities connect it to religious teachings, while others associate it with family expansion, economic cooperation, social status, inheritance and traditional marriage systems.
The way polygynous families operate also differs. Some wives live in separate homes, while others share a household. Some cooperate closely, while others experience disagreements over resources, attention and family responsibilities.
Understanding polygyny requires looking beyond the simple idea of a man having several wives. It involves questions about culture, religion, family organisation, economics, gender equality and the rights of everyone involved.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional advice relevant to individual circumstances. If you notice an error or would like to send feedback or corrections, please contact us.
References
[1] Marriage and Families across Cultures, OpenStax
[2] Polygamy is rare around the world and mostly confined to a few regions, Pew Research Center, 2020
[3] Marriage Act, 1884 (Cap. 127), Ghana
[4] Religion and Living Arrangements Around the World, Pew Research Center, 2019
[5] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Official Declaration 1
[6] Progress of the World’s Women 2019–2020: Families in a Changing World, UN Women
[7] Marriage: New Forms, New Ambiguities, National Academies Press
[8] Why Polyandry Fails: Sources of Instability in Polyandrous Marriages, Current Anthropology
