What Does a Marriage Officiant Do?

Polygamy is a form of marriage in which a man maintains a spousal relationship with several women at the same time. This form of marriage is more common among all ethnic groups in the world. In ancient China, polygamy was monogamous, and the status of concubine was lower than that of concubine. China s polygamy began in Huangdi Yaoshun . In slave society and feudal society, polygamy was mainly implemented in emperors, princes, and royal doctors. It is also a custom in some ethnic groups. In addition to polygamy, in order to satisfy men s sexual desire, In addition to increasing labor for childbearing, it is also aimed at improving social status. Polygamy in China's feudal society persisted until the founding of the People's Republic of China, manifesting as the coexistence of wives and concubines of the landlord class. ^[1]

Polygamy

(Marriage Customs)

in China

China's Hui, Tibetan,

Although polygamy has been abused at certain times and in certain regions, in some cases it has its benefits. In some cases it may be an eclectic marriage system; in other cases it may be a good arrangement with positive effects.

Comfort the weak

Slave period

Islam

Islamic countries such as Senegal, Uganda, Libya, Swaziland, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco, Somalia, Kenya, etc. And in some countries where laws stipulate "monogamy", the phenomenon of "polygamy" also exists. Such as India, the United States, Thailand, Indonesia. Most are concentrated in West Asia and Africa, and the main religion is Islam. ^[2]

Libya

On October 23, 2011, the National Transitional Council of the Libyan Transitional Government held a celebration in Benghazi to officially announce the national liberation of Libya. For example, "Take the law of divorce as an example, this law is against Islamic rules, so it will be prohibited." That is, under Gaddafi's rule, "polygamy" was prohibited, but In today's brand-new Libya, polygamy is legalized again.

Polygamy in many countries in West Asia and Africa

When Libya announced the resumption of "polygamy" and it caused a worldwide uproar, did you know how many countries have been practicing polygamy?

According to the data, the countries that have clearly adopted polygamy are still: Senegal, Uganda, Swaziland, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco , Somalia, Cameroon, Kenya, etc.

In Islamic countries, "polygamy" has always been considered an "old tradition" and has been retained. For example, in 2000, Senegalese President Wade refused to abolish "polygamy" although he proposed many provisions on women's liberation before the adoption of the new constitution. ^[4]

Continent

Today in Africa, Senegal, Uganda, Libya, Swaziland, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Morocco, Somalia, South Africa and other countries still practice polygamy. With the development of the times, polygamy has also become a controversial topic in Africa. African Arab countries like Tunisia have long legally eliminated polygamy, and black African countries such as Benin have announced the cancellation of this backward system in recent years. Since modern times, monogamy has become mainstream, and support for polygamy is still widespread in African countries. Senegal was once considered by the West as a country with a better democratic system, but it still insists on polygamy. Before the new constitution was adopted by Senegalese President Wade in 2000, Senegalese President Wade refused to abolish polygamy, although he proposed many provisions on women's liberation, and considered it an "ancient tradition that cannot be prohibited." ^{[2] [5]}

Kenya

On April 30, 2014, Kenyan President Kenyatta signed a highly controversial bill on the 29th to legalize polygamy marriages in line with local traditions. ^[6]

The current Kenyan civil law's marriage regulations are monogamous, but the culture of some tribe in the country is traditionally polygamous. But a clause in the bill, backed by many male parliamentarians, allows men to marry more wives without the consent of an existing spouse. ^[6]

Although tribal culture has traditionally been polygamous, in order to marry more wives, the man still generally needs the approval of the first wife. ^[6]

Last month, women members of the Kenyan parliament stepped out of protest as male members voted in favour of the clause. Protesting female lawmakers said that if more wives were to marry, it would affect the entire family, especially other wives' financial resources or income. ^[6]

The new polygamy law may cause distress in the distribution of property. Although the law says that women have equal distribution rights, if it is polygamous, it is difficult to determine how much women can allocate if they divorce or inherit inheritance. the property of. ^[6]

American continent

Mormon

In the United States, the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in the 19th century practiced polygamy. Mormons and God "newly make an eternal vow." Believers should take more wives in order to "continuously multiply and supplement the world." They believe that only those who practice polygamy can enter heaven. ^[2]

Early Mormonism was polygamous, and the current branch, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, officially announced the end of polygamy in 1890, and has since

Indian 1 husband and 37 wife

Beginning in 1904, polygamy members were expelled from membership or barred from joining the church. But chapter 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants on polygamy still exists in the standard Scriptures of the church. ^[2]

The United States federal government has imprisoned church members for polygamy, confiscated church property, and stipulated that the federal government prohibits Utah from being upgraded to U.S. territory as long as Mormonism does not terminate polygamy. After being criticized and suppressed in the mainstream society, the Mormon leadership abandoned the polygamy tradition in the 1920s and 1930s and tried to integrate into the mainstream American society. A small number of polygamous families who refused to change moved to the border between Utah and Arizona to establish polygamous tribes. ^[2]

Since then, the church has announced the cessation of polygamy, but there are also examples of this practice secretly implemented.

The other branch, the "Basic Doctrine of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," is still polygamy. Located on the border between Colorado, Arizona and Hilldale, Utah.

Asian countries

Japan

In ancient Japan, the royal family and aristocracy also practiced polygamy. In addition to men, there were many side rooms.

Korea

There is also polygamy in South Korea. During Lee s Joseon Dynasty, the ranks were so strict that the two nobles could not marry with Chinese, civilians, or pariahs. High-ranking men can only accept lower-ranking women as puppets. The children born to them are inherited from the mother's class. Brothers and sisters born to their biological father and father's house should be treated as masters. Most of the daughters who are born will also marry officials as concubines.

Except for a few examples, such as during the reign of Lee s Joseon Joseon, Emperor Wen Ding s brother Yin Yuanheng s concubine Zheng Lanzhen (the wife of Feng Zhenjing), he could not be righted as a right wife.

Mongolia

Ancient Mongolian noble men could marry multiple orthodoxy and concubines (their wives may be widows and stepmothers).

Malaysia

Malaysia was the first Islamic country to abolish polygamy. They stopped remarrying men with wives in the 1990s, but for men with four wives, their marital relationship is not affected by the new legislation. Malaysia allows Muslims to marry up to four wives, provided the first wife agrees and proves that the economic situation can afford more wives. But despite the law, only about 10% of Muslims have formed a polygamous family. In 2006, the Malaysian government introduced a new "Family Bill", removing the requirement that every wife be treated fairly and lowering the barriers to a polygamous family. The move sparked heated debate in the country over polygamy. Some women's rights organizations believe that if polygamy is maintained, there must be more protection for women's rights, such as giving the first wife the right to stay or leave the polygamous family. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 48-year-old Nissan Muding Ashari is with his 4 wives and 24 children. He is a member of a polygamy club called "Brotherhood." ^[2] Another group of Malaysian Islamic women set up the Qianyibaishun Wife Club in 2011. In order to please her husband, members take courses such as sex education in the club. They believe that this will help reduce social issues such as infidelity, divorce and domestic violence. ^[2]

India

India has been known to practice polygamy since ancient times. There are related records in the Manu Code, but according to historical records, only the emperor actually practiced polygamy. For example, King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayenagar has many wives.

In the countryside of Mizoram, India, there is one of the largest families in the world. The 67-year-old parent, Cionacana, married 39 wives and had 94 children, 14 daughters-in-law, and 33 grandchildren. The sect to which Ziona belongs allows the cult to marry as many wives as he wants, and he is the leader of the sect. ^[2]

However, in some parts of India, the concept of patriarchalism is deeply rooted in women. When women get married, they have to pay expensive dowry and may be retired by their husbands at any time. Even men can buy, sell and rent their wives. Therefore, the status of women is very low in India.

On July 28, 2019, King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand married his 33-year-old girlfriend, Thai Royal Guard Major-General Sininat Pira Saganyane, at his 67th birthday party. ) And registered it as "Concubine". This is the first time the Thai royal family has publicly acknowledged polygamy since 1932. ^[7]

Republic of China

After the founding of the Republic of China, the Civil Law was promulgated in 1930, which stipulated that monogamy would no longer tolerate acts of incarceration, and incarceration would be punished by law. However, in the early days, civil appropriations still prevailed, and the government could only ask senior officials not to accept them.

Modern China

Mainland China

The "Marriage Law" introduced by New China in 1950 made polygamy illegal. Thereafter, the establishment of a legal polygamy marriage abroad will not be recognized by Chinese courts. At the same time, due to the untraceable nature of the law, previously established polygamous families can still live together.

The Criminal Code, as amended in 1997, provides for the crime of bigamy, but bigamy is a case that requires the victim to prosecute. If the spouse is remarried and the parties do not sue, the procuratorate does not sue.

Hong Kong and Macau

In Hong Kong, due to the adoption of customary law, the rules of the servants of the Qing Dynasty have been followed.

It was not until the British and Hong Kong authorities promulgated the "Marriage Law" in 1971 that it ended the Hong Kong men's adoption of the "Law of the Qing Dynasty" to accept and divorce themselves as a shield. "Polygamy" was cancelled.

Taiwan

"Polygamous" is also illegal in Taiwan. It violates Taiwan's so-called "criminal law" Article 237 "Those who have a spouse but are married or have married more than two people at the same time, and are sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years. with.".

Ancient europe

Ancient Europe, including ancient Greece and Rome, was formally monogamous.

However, in the Middle Ages of Europe, there were phenomena such as the right to the beginning of the night. The lord had the right to enjoy first sexual intercourse with all local middle- and lower-class women. It was stipulated in law in France, Germany, Scotland and other places. The Illustrated Code states: "The owner of the estate will have the right to charge 10 shillings (50 pence) to all married people on his territory, otherwise it is customary for him to spend the night with the bride on the first night of marriage."

This system is more advantageous to the owners of property estates than polygamy, which may cause loss of property division. In Western Christian society, Roman law had stipulated that a man could have a concubine, but the son born of a concubine was legally equivalent to an illegitimate child.