Yanomami people are an indigenous group that live in the rainforest of Venezuela and Brazil. They have a unique culture that includes a polyamorous marriage system called "xapiri". This means that a man can have multiple wives who share his home and children, and it is considered normal for men to have more than one wife. In this article, I will explain how polygamy is morally, spiritually, and socially justified among the Yanomami people, as well as what relational consequences arise from its practice.
Morally speaking, xapiri is seen as a way for men to provide support for their families. Since women bear all the responsibility for childcare and domestic chores, having multiple wives allows them to share these responsibilities and ensure that everyone has enough help. It also ensures that there are always enough hands to work in agriculture and hunting activities to provide food for the family.
Xapiri helps keep peace within communities since it prevents jealousy and competition between married couples.
Spiritually, xapiri is believed to be part of the natural order of things. The Yanomami believe that the world is created by a God who is both male and female, so they see no reason why men should not be allowed to have multiple wives.
They believe that each individual has a spiritual essence called "nuna" which is passed down through the father's lineage. Having many wives ensures that this nuna is preserved and passed on to future generations.
Socially, xapiri helps maintain social hierarchy within communities. Each wife has her own status based on her position in society, with the first wife being the most important and the last wife having the least power. This system ensures that everyone has a place in the community and prevents any single person from gaining too much influence or authority.
Xapiri allows for the sharing of resources and knowledge across different households, promoting cooperation and collaboration among families.
Polygamy does have some relational consequences. Women may feel overwhelmed by having to care for multiple children and homes, leading to stress and resentment towards their husbands. In addition, there can be tension between wives as they compete for attention and resources.
Polygamy can lead to jealousy and rivalry between the women themselves, causing conflicts within the household.
How is polygamy in Yanomama religion morally, spiritually, and socially justified, and what relational consequences arise from its practice?
Polygamy refers to a marital relationship between three or more persons where each person involved has consensual agreement on it being so. It differs from polyamory which emphasizes sexual relationships outside of marriage and does not necessarily require an official union. Polygamy can be either polygyny (a man having multiple wives) or polyandry (a woman having multiple husbands).