Polygamy is uncommon these days in the middle east--it's actually most common in sub-Saharan Africa. I've read once source that estimates 5% of marriages in Afghanistan are polygamous, and that's the highest across the Middle East. The numbers are much higher in Africa.
There's a theory that the historical prevalence of polygamy in various Islamic states helped define (or exacerbate) their outward aggression.
Rich men can afford to have multiple wives. When rich men have multiple wives, this means that many poor men no longer have marriage options. This leads to an excess of unmarried young men. No government wants an excess of unmarried and unhappy young men. Where can young men find women? Non-Muslims, women from other countries, slaves, etc.
Slavery was very common across the Middle East through the 19th century, and there were slave markets in Istanbul up until almost World War 1. The "avret pazar" was the female slave market (bazaar).
I thought it made some sense when a lot of young man died in war and women need it protection during those times.
But honestly never looked to much in to it. It was a bit odd as I rarely hear about Arabs having multiple wives so I just assumed it was reserved for the rich. Had no ideea it was a thing in sub-Saharan Africa
Yeah, I seem to recall there was a proposal in Germany after WW2 to allow polygamy, as so many men were dead, that allowing surviving men to have multiple wives would help rebuild the population. Don't take my word on that, though..
A lot of the things that we think about as "Islamic" -- polygamy, female circumcision, slavery -- etc., were and are most common in Africa.
How common is having multiple wives? I thought it was more a thing for those with money.
Polygamy is uncommon these days in the middle east--it's actually most common in sub-Saharan Africa. I've read once source that estimates 5% of marriages in Afghanistan are polygamous, and that's the highest across the Middle East. The numbers are much higher in Africa.
There's a theory that the historical prevalence of polygamy in various Islamic states helped define (or exacerbate) their outward aggression.
Rich men can afford to have multiple wives. When rich men have multiple wives, this means that many poor men no longer have marriage options. This leads to an excess of unmarried young men. No government wants an excess of unmarried and unhappy young men. Where can young men find women? Non-Muslims, women from other countries, slaves, etc.
Slavery was very common across the Middle East through the 19th century, and there were slave markets in Istanbul up until almost World War 1. The "avret pazar" was the female slave market (bazaar).
I thought it made some sense when a lot of young man died in war and women need it protection during those times.
But honestly never looked to much in to it. It was a bit odd as I rarely hear about Arabs having multiple wives so I just assumed it was reserved for the rich. Had no ideea it was a thing in sub-Saharan Africa
It makes a lot of sense if you're trying to grow a religion. Mormons, Anabaptists and Muslims used the same strategy.
Yeah, I seem to recall there was a proposal in Germany after WW2 to allow polygamy, as so many men were dead, that allowing surviving men to have multiple wives would help rebuild the population. Don't take my word on that, though..
A lot of the things that we think about as "Islamic" -- polygamy, female circumcision, slavery -- etc., were and are most common in Africa.
https://archive.ph/EVxpB
There's also a 'reality' tv show that exists called "Seeking Sister Wife." The people it follows do not appear to be very wealthy.