You won't surprise us with polygamy. And we also heard about the sultans with their harems. What about polyandry? Polyandry? How often do you hear these terms?
Today we will understand what polyandry is and take a trip into the past. And also get acquainted with countries in which even now women do not have to be content with one husband.
What is it?
Polyandry is a form of polygamy in which a woman is simultaneously married to two or more men. In English, the term is also used to describe a woman's relationship with several men outside of marriage.
Experts believe that polyandry is beneficial for communities in which there is an acute shortage of certain resources. This format of relationships avoids the fragmentation of family lands – for example, if several brothers marry the same woman.
Classification
There are several forms of polyandry.
A namely:
- Fraternal
In this form of polyandry, the woman's husbands are brothers to each other. It still exists in some countries – for example, in India. Presumably, this is done just to preserve the integrity of the land owned by the family (the example described above).
The husbands of the family will be able to run the household together. Their children, born of the same woman, may later follow the same path, choosing the fraternal form of polyandry. Thus, family lands can be saved and the overall income can be increased (with skillful housekeeping, of course).
This form of marriage is also beneficial for aristocrats. Is one of the husbands missing? No problem! The brothers will come to the rescue and take care of the family property.
Fraternal polyandry is a consequence of the so-called selective abortions. Wanted to give birth only to sons? Get gender inequality! Now go out and find wives for your kids, boys.
- Multiple paternity
This is also called partial, joint, or shared paternity. They practice this, for example, on the Trobriand Islands. The natives are sure that the baby inherits his physical and other qualities only from the mother. Since the child belongs to the woman's family, only those men who live with her in the same house are considered fathers – even if they are her brothers (fathers with this form of polyandry do not have to be the husbands of the woman-mother).
- Biandria
One of the simplest forms of polyandry. As the name implies, with biandry, a woman is simultaneously married to two men.
Everything is simple and clear, so let's move on.
- Polygynandry
A form of polyandry in which two or more men are married to two or more women. Yes, the spouses of these men are the same. Such marriages are concluded with the same goal of preserving the land. In addition, it allows you to regulate population growth.
Polyandry in antiquity
Polyandry is a rather rare form of polygamy. Modern anthropologists will confirm that it is much easier to find information about polygamy. But some facts of science are still known:
- The first mention of polyandry occurs in documents dating back to the fourteenth century BC. A law issued by the Sumerian king forbade polyandry as a form of marriage. The harlots who broke the law were even allowed to be stoned. Penalties also included the death penalty.
- Polyandry was legal in some parts of ancient Persia and among the Hephthalites, called “White Huns”.
- Polyandry in ancient India is a common and widespread phenomenon.
- In Sparta, polyandry also existed some time, and ancient Roman women even demanded a law allowing Roman women to have two husbands. Tombstone inscriptions testify to the spread of polyandry in Ancient Rome.
- Prior to the beginning of white colonization, polyandry was common among the peoples of North America.
Polyandry and Modernity: Where You Can Do It
- Nigeria
Polyandry is not common throughout Nigeria, but only in some tribes – for example, among the Irigwe people living in northern Nigeria. Prior to the law passed in 1968, local women traditionally acquired several husbands. They moved from one house to another and the men with whom they shared the living space at that time were considered the fathers of their children.
- India
Polyandry is more common among the inhabitants of the northern regions of India. In other parts of the state, polyandry is not so tolerant. For the most part, polyandry is common among the descendants of the Pachi Pandavas – five brothers who are married to the daughter of the king of Panchala. The woman's name was Draupadi.
The heirs feel it is their duty to continue the tradition.
There are also several tribes and castes in South India who prefer polyandry to other forms of marriage.
- Kenya
In August 2013, the inhabitants of this state witnessed modern polyandry – two local men decided to marry the same woman. Local laws do not prohibit this form of marriage, and therefore such families cannot be blamed for anything.
Polyandry is also practiced by the Masai in Kenya.
- Tibet
Fraternal polyandry is common among the peoples of Tibet. The locals see nothing wrong with a child having two or more fathers. In addition, if several brothers marry the same woman, they have equal rights to perform marital duties with her.
This is especially true for poor families who cannot afford to divide property among several sons if they marry different girls.
- South America
Tribes living in South America have also long practiced polyandry. They believe in the principle of multiple paternity and prefer the fraternal form of polyandry.
The issue of polygamy is now particularly acute. And although in most states polygamy and polyandry are illegal, this does not prevent our contemporaries from entering into free relations, living together, etc. The attitude towards such unions, of course, is very ambiguous. But this is actively practiced – it's just that they don't shout about it yet.
