Polygyny – Historical Data
The polygyny (polygamy) is a form of marriage, that is a special form of polygamy where a man is allowed more than one wife to marry. Polygyny is widespread, in many regions more than polyandry. If a man liiert it with exactly two women, which is also called Bigynie.
Many polygynous conjugal know a pronounced hierarchy and strong rivalry between the women. The (chronologically) first women usually have a higher status than those coming after them.
Polygyny is also often an expression of a stratification between age and sex: In many polygynous societies marry older men remain very young women and young men, either unmarried or married for a long time older widows.
The occurrence of polygyny is correlated with political and economic systems, which represent human resources – and not land or property – the most important resources.
Dissemination
Polygyny occurs in many parts of Africa, in the Islamic Middle East, the Peopl... read more
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