Polygamy

Polygamy, form of marriage in which a person has more than one mate. The practice of polygamy includes polyandry, or marriage with more than one husband, as well as polygyny, the specific term for marriage with more than one wife.

Polygyny has been widely practiced at various times in many societies throughout the world, and it is still common in Muslim countries and some parts of Africa. Polygyny has never been the only form of marriage in any nation or tribe; usually only the rich and powerful men have maintained polygynous families, while the majority of the people have lived in monogamous relations. Although uncommon in most countries, polygamy is legal under Islamic law and in some African nations.