![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2018) |
Part of a series on the |
Anthropology of kinship |
---|
![]() |
Social anthropology Cultural anthropology |
Sororate marriage is a type of marriage in which a husband engages in marriage or sexual relations with the sister of his wife, usually after the death of his wife or if his wife has proven infertile.[1] The opposite is levirate marriage.
From an anthropological standpoint, this type of marriage strengthens the ties between both groups (the wife's family or clan and the husband's) and preserves the contract between the two to provide children and continue the alliance.
The Inuit (formerly known as Eskimos) of northern Alaska, Canada and Greenland follow or followed this custom. It is followed by the Chiricahua group of the Western Apache, who are Athabaskan speaking, as is levirate marriage.[citation needed]
Sororate marriage is practiced by the Sioux (Lakota) tribes, and some Western Mono tribes in California, such as the Wuksachi or Waksachi.
Sororate marriage is practiced by the Swazi people and for the same reasons as stated.[citation needed] This type of marriage is made in Bhutan. The former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (the current king's father) is married to four wives, all of whom are sisters. There is evidence that sororate marriage existed in ancient China.
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search