We must know is that the development of intimate romantic relationships, it is socially constructed. In modern western cultures monogamy is still considered the only legal form of marriage, which means marrying only one individual at a time. In different areas around the world polygamy, polygyny, polyandry and polyamory does exist in today’s day. Polygamy is having multiple spouses. One of the more commonly known form of polygamy is polygyny which means a man is married to multiple wives. While polyandry is in which a woman has multiple husbands at a time. The last one is polyamory which includes a multiple-person partnership. These types of marriages do have pros and cons to them. Polygamy represents multiple of cultures and regions, and polygamy has existed all over the African continent. Polygamy marriages have been present in Africa’s history more than any other continent in the world. These types of marriages allow for families to be bigger than a monogamy marriage, which African societies believed that children were a form of wealth. If the family had more children they were seen as wealthy and powerful compared to those who did not have as many children. In Africa polygamy marriage was considered to be way to be able to build an empire. As you can see in this society polygamy marriage is very important factor to be able to have more power. Polygamy was very commonly known in the west part of Africa, but over time the popularity of polygamy reduce to due to the restrictions that appeared to the number of wives. Even the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma has openly declared that he agrees with plural marriages and he is currently married to 3 wives. Jacob has 20 children with his current wives including his two previous wives that he had in the past.
Sudan is another country where the polygamy marriage is accepted. The president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir states how these multiple marriages are allowed in this country in order to be able to increase the population of Sudan. Every country do not have the same reasons and beliefs in why they allow and push these types of marriages. These areas all over the world all are under different circumstances which allows difference cultures, and norms.
Polygamy can be found all over Africa, but it is more commonly practiced among the animist and the muslims communities. There is also the mormons who also live in polygamous families.
https://www.polygamy.com/articles/89746509/polygamy-in-africa
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