Polyandry, or, as is more usual and understandable, polyandry is a rather rare form of polygamy. In such a marriage, a woman is in a relationship with several spouses. In 1980, a study was conducted, as a result of which polyandry was identified in 50 societies. We will understand the reasons for such a social phenomenon, and imagine countries where polygamy is allowed.
Kinds
There are three types of polyandry. The first is when several brothers have one wife. This phenomenon is called fractal polyandry.
The second type is multiple fatherhood, in which several men participate in the education of offspring.
And, the last, third kind is biandria, when a woman officially has two husbands who are not related. Today is the rarest form.
Perhaps still associative, this is when a woman marries one man, but she has the opportunity to expand her family by taking more husbands.
The reasons
Any phenomenon in society has economic and social causes. Each region of the planet had its own, it was special, and scientists did not derive any universal reason for this phenomenon.
From an economic point of view, polyamy was caused by fear of losing land. Polyandry allowed not to divide the land between the heir brothers.
In the camps of Oceania and among the tribes of the Amazon basin, polygamy was most likely due to a shortage of women. There were Native American tribes where selectively killing newborn girls, which caused demographic imbalances in the female and male populations.
Some historical facts
Before introducing countries and ethnic groups in which polythery is permitted or exists, let us recall several historical facts related to polyandry.
Sumer
During excavations of the Sumerian city of Lagash, archaeologists discovered a tablet on which the codes of the laws of Tsar Uruinimgina, who ruled in the XIV century BC, were carved.
One of the laws spoke about the prohibition of polygamy. Women who violate the order will face stoning to death. Scientists concluded from the document that polygamy was prevalent in Sumerian society before the adoption of this law.
Do not miss on our site thebiggest.ru fascinating material about the most amazing finds of archaeologists.
Ancient india
A highly developed civilization was born on the banks of the Ganges and Indus, in which polyandry was spread for various reasons. Such a phenomenon did not surprise anyone.
There is also written confirmation. We learn from the ancient Indian epic Mahabhart that the daughter of King Drupada, named Draupadai, was the wife of five brothers of the glorious Pandavas.
Ancient Greece and Rome
Among the states of Hellas, Sparta has always stood apart. We all know about the Spartan upbringing of boys, but Spartan women sometimes allowed themselves to live with several men at the same time.
In ancient Rome, too, there were special ideas about morality. But we judge them from the perspective of today. In the records of ancient Roman historians there is a record of the everyday life of Roman women who demanded that the Senate legitimize polyandry. Archaeologists often find tombstones that say that here lies a woman who happily lived in peace and in harmony with several lovers.
Indians of North America
Before the advent of Europeans, many Indian tribes practiced polygamy as a way of raising offspring. Ethnographers note a similar phenomenon among the Navajo, Shoshone, Apache tribe.
Several male warriors raised together children born from the same mother. Even earlier, most likely, all the children of the tribe were considered common.
Modern world
Now we’ll directly consider the states and peoples in which polyamy is common. The spread of the Christian faith led to the extinction of a similar phenomenon in Europe and other parts of the world, but there remained regions where polygamy was enshrined in law.
Tibet
In mysterious Tibet, courage is caused by two circumstances. On the one hand, this is a shortage of the fair sex, on the other, the desire not to crush land.
Because of this, brothers of the same family marry one woman. Together they housekeeping, raising children. The spouse is chosen by the man himself. He marries her, and then the younger brothers marry her.
An older brother is considered an older husband and regulates sexual relations in a monogamous family.
Islands of melanesia
The peoples of the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean still practice polygamy. Here, a woman has quite a few rights.
She herself chooses a spouse, and with a division of responsibilities. A woman decides from whom she will give birth to a child, and which of the spouses is only for carnal pleasures. The genus is maternal.
Nepal
Polygamy in Nepal is caused by scarce land resources, and the reluctance of the family to split their property between the heirs.
A woman marries, and according to established tradition, she takes all her husband's brothers as husbands. Children are brought up together, without sharing where whose. As soon as the children grow up, they receive all the undivided property.
Nigeria
In an African country, a girl must marry, live with her husband a certain time, after which she receives the right to remarry.
Walking under the crown a second time, the woman does not break the marriage bond with the first chosen one. So, during a woman, a woman can get married several times, but always has the opportunity to return to someone from her previous husbands. When a husband changes, children born in a marriage remain with their fathers.
Eskimos and Aleuts
The harsh climate and lifestyle gave rise to a special form of polyandry among northern peoples. The hunter, who was absent for a long time, was looking for his wife a man who provides and protects her in his absence.
This man, who was most often a father or brother, also performed marital duty. Such an unusual custom, according to thebiggest, was caused by the problem of survival in the harsh northern climate.
Kenya
In African Kenya, polyandry was enshrined in law. In 2013, for the first time in the history of this state, a bianderic marriage was registered in the country.
Prior to official recognition, polygamy was common among the Masai tribe living in Tanzania. Women marry several men, and together bring up offspring.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru there is an interesting article about the TOP 10 most amazing African tribes.
India
In southern India, the tradition of polygamy among the poor peasant population has been preserved. Similar marriages can be found in Sri Lanka.
In Bhutan, along with polygamy, polygamy also exists. This is not enshrined in law, but de facto such marriages exist. The world is changing…
China
In rural remote areas of China, due to the small number of women, polyandric marriages began to be practiced. This caused outrage in society, so the authorities will have to solve the demographic imbalance in other ways.
USA
Utah authorities pass a law allowing polygamy. While he is operating in pilot mode. If the experiment yields positive results, the US federal authorities will extend the law to the entire country.
Russia
More for discussion, if you look at the legislation through the prism of polyandry. After a divorce, when the children remain with their mother, the man is prescribed alimony.
A woman marries a second time, and her new husband takes part in the maintenance and upbringing of children. The first husband continues to pay child support, so it turns out the joint upbringing of children by two spouses, the former and the current. Here is such an unofficial view of multiple fatherhood. Although, of course, Russia cannot be called a country where polytheism is permitted.
Summary
Summing up, we note that polyandry is a rather rare occurrence. Often this is a tribute to historically established cultural traditions, and sometimes an attempt to solve the problem of demographic imbalance. The world is changing, and sometimes not towards improvement. For centuries, evolving human values are becoming a thing of the past, and new social relations are taking their place, changing our world beyond recognition.
Thebiggest editors are waiting for your thoughts in the comments. Write to us about what you think about polygamy and about the countries where it is allowed.