Senegalese society has historically recognized polygamy as an accepted practice for marriage, though recent laws have reduced its legality. Polygamy is defined as having more than one wife or husband at once, usually by a man but sometimes also a woman. There are three main types of polygamous marriages in Senegal: monogamy, bigamy, and polyandry. Monogamy is having exactly one wife or husband; bigamy is having two wives or husbands simultaneously; and polyandry is having multiple women married to one man.
Polygamy in Senegalese traditional religions can be traced back to Islamic teachings and African cultural beliefs about gender roles. In Islamic teachings, men are encouraged to marry up to four wives if they treat them all equally. This allows them to fulfill their sexual desires without straying from marriage vows. Similarly, in African traditions, men were expected to take on several wives to show that they had status and wealth.
Modern Senegalese culture recognizes monogamy as the norm due to pressure from Western cultures and religious groups like Christianity and Judaism. The government has made it illegal for a person to have more than one spouse unless there is an exception granted by the courts.
Some people still practice polygamy illegally through informal arrangements or secretly keep multiple wives while only officially being married to one.
The benefits of polygamy include providing emotional support, financial stability, and social networks for both parties involved. Each wife brings her own unique strengths and experiences to the relationship, which enriches the family dynamic.
A husband with multiple wives may receive help raising children, managing finances, running a business, and attending community events.
Polygamy can cause tension between wives who compete for resources and attention. It also raises issues of jealousy, suspicion, and betrayal. One partner may feel neglected or unappreciated compared to others, leading to arguments, resentment, and infidelity. Some women may even choose not to participate in sexual intercourse because of these feelings.
Polygamy in Senegalese traditional religions influences marital satisfaction differently based on individual circumstances. If all partners are aware of the arrangement and consent to it willingly, it can be beneficial to everyone involved. Otherwise, it can lead to drama, heartbreak, and infidelity.
How does polygamy in Senegalese traditional religions influence sexual negotiation, emotional fidelity, and marital satisfaction among multiple spouses?
Senegal is one of the African countries where polygamous marriage is allowed by law and traditional religion. Polygamy refers to the practice of having more than one wife or husband at the same time. The concept of polygamy has been practiced for many years in this country. In traditional Senegalese religions, polygamy plays an important role in influencing sexual negotiation, emotional fidelity, and marital satisfaction among multiple spouses.