Polygyny
Polygyny is a form of polygamy with multiple wives.
Polygyny is a form of polygamy in which a man is married to at least two or more women simultaneously. The term derives from Neoclassical Greek πολυγυνία (polugunía), from Ancient Greek πολύ (polú) 'many' and γυνή (gunḗ) 'woman, wife'. It has been historically accepted in various societies, including ancient Hebrew society, classical China, some traditional Native American, African, and Polynesian cultures, and ancient Greece before the adoption of Roman marriage practices and Christianization.
- definition
- Marriage of a man to at least two or more women at the same time
- highest_prevalence_region
- West Africa and Central Africa (the 'polygamy belt')
- highest_prevalence_countries_2019
- Burkina Faso (36%), Mali (34%), Gambia (30%)
- sub-Saharan_Africa_prevalence_2019
- 11% of population (25% Muslim, 3% Christian)
- outside_Africa_highest_prevalence
- Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq
- practiced_by
- Some Mormon sects, such as the FLDS Church
Lore & Background
Polygyny is more widespread in Africa than on any other continent. Some scholars theorize that the slave trade's impact on the male-to-female sex ratio was a key factor in its emergence and fortification in regions of Africa. It is most common in the 'polygamy belt' of West and Central Africa, with Burkina Faso, Mali, Gambia, Niger, and Nigeria having the highest estimated prevalence. In sub-Saharan Africa, 11 percent of the population lives in such marriages as of 2019, with 25 percent of the Muslim population and 3 percent of the Christian population. Outside Africa, the highest prevalence is in Afghanistan, Yemen, and Iraq.
Reader's Guide
Polygyny has been a significant social and economic institution in many societies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Scholars have debated its causes. Ester Boserup proposed that the high incidence in sub-Saharan Africa is rooted in the sexual division of labor in hoe-farming and the large economic contribution of women, where additional wives provide agricultural labor. Anthropologist Jack Goody, however, argued that the reasons are more sexual and reproductive than economic and productive, noting that in West African savanna regions with high male agricultural contributions, polygyny rates are also high. An analysis by James Fenske found that child mortality and ecologically-related economic shocks had a stronger association with polygyny rates than female agricultural contributions. Polygyny is more common in societies with the custom of bride price. Some studies of mitochondrial DNA have shown more mothers than fathers in the human genetic record, which the authors of a 2014 study attributed to widespread polygyny. The economist Michèle Tertilt concluded that countries practicing polygyny are less economically stable than those practicing monogamy.
Did You Know?
- Polygyny is from Neoclassical Greek πολυγυνία, meaning 'many women'.
- Polygyny was accepted in ancient Hebrew society, classical China, and ancient Greece.
- In sub-Saharan Africa as of 2019, 25% of the Muslim population and 3% of the Christian population lived in polygynous marriages.
- Some scholars theorize the slave trade's impact on sex ratios was a key factor in polygyny's emergence in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Polygyny?
Polygyny is a marriage structure in which one man is simultaneously wed to two or more women. It is the most widely recognized subtype of polygamy worldwide.
Where is Polygyny most prevalent today?
The highest rates cluster in West and Central Africa, often called the 'polygamy belt,' with Burkina Faso (36%), Mali (34%), and The Gambia (30%) leading in 2019. Outside Africa, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Iraq report the highest shares.
What is the origin of the word Polygyny?
The term comes from Neoclassical Greek polugunía, blending polú ('many') with gunḗ ('woman' or 'wife'), literally meaning 'many wives.'
Which religious or cultural groups have historically practiced Polygyny?
It appears in ancient Hebrew, classical Chinese, traditional Native American, African, and Polynesian societies, as well as pre-Roman Greece. In the modern era, certain Mormon offshoots such as the FLDS Church have maintained the practice.
How does Polygyny differ from Polyandry?
Polygyny pairs one man with multiple women, whereas polyandry pairs one woman with multiple men. Polygyny is far more common cross-culturally and remains the dominant form of plural marriage where it is permitted.
More in Sexual Practices & Identities 1-24
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