Multiple Husbands | National Geographic

Summary

This video explores polyandry, a marriage practice where one woman has multiple husbands, commonly her spouse's brothers, in remote Himalayan villages. This tradition preserves limited arable land by preventing its division among heirs, ensuring family survival and a stable future. Husbands share domestic duties, and the wife manages intimacy on a rotating schedule to prevent jealousy. While polyandry maintains a harmonious, practical family life here, its continuity is threatened by education and family planning, which may lead to its decline within a few generations as younger people adopt modern values.

Takeaways

• 👰‍♂️ Polyandry is a marriage practice where one woman has multiple husbands, typically brothers.
• 🏔️ This practice persists today in isolated villages in the Himalayas, where it remains a tradition.
• 🤝 Sunita Kumari's marriage involved not just one husband, but three brothers, which is a common arrangement in her community.
• 🌾 The primary reason for polyandry is practicality—scarce arable land means families need to keep holdings intact for survival.
• 👨‍🍳 In these polyandrous families, husbands often share domestic duties, including cooking and childcare.
• 💡 Fraternal polyandry allows the younger brothers to join the marriage, but it is not mandatory.
• 🍼 Polyandry serves as a form of population control, as a woman can only have a limited number of children regardless of the number of husbands.
• 📅 The arrangement involves scheduling for intimacy, with the wife taking turns to spend time with each husband.
• 📺 The introduction of modern influences, such as roads and satellite dishes, is challenging traditional polyandrous practices.
• 🎓 Education and family planning are causing a decline in polyandry, with predictions that it may disappear in a few generations.

Q & A

What is polyandry?

Polyandry is a marriage arrangement where one woman has several husbands. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as an unusual practice that still exists in isolated villages in the Himalayas.

Why is polyandry practiced in the Himalayan villages?

Polyandry is practiced due to practical reasons, primarily the scarcity of arable land. Dividing the land between each generation would make it too small for farming, so polyandry helps preserve both the land and the family's future.

How does polyandry function as a form of birth control?

Polyandry serves as a form of birth control because, no matter how many husbands a woman has, she can only get pregnant so often. This prevents a population explosion, as each man doesn’t marry and have children individually.

How are marriage decisions made in fraternal polyandry?

In fraternal polyandry, the family chooses a wife for the oldest son, and his younger brothers may join the marriage. The decision is made with the consent of all family members during a collective discussion.

What role do husbands play in these polyandrous marriages?

Unlike in many other parts of India, husbands in polyandrous marriages handle domestic duties. They are involved in cooking, childcare, and other household tasks.

How do wives manage sexual relationships with multiple husbands?

In polyandrous marriages, wives often schedule time with each husband. They are expected to be tolerant and understanding, rotating attention between the brothers to maintain balance and avoid conflicts.

Is jealousy a problem in polyandrous marriages?

Jealousy can be a potential issue, but if the wife is smart, she can manage the situation by taking turns with each husband. The arrangement generally works if everyone understands and respects the dynamic.

How is modernization affecting polyandry in this region?

Modernization, such as the introduction of roads and satellite dishes, is exposing the community to new ideas about romance and family. Education and family planning are becoming more common, and these changes are threatening the practice of polyandry.

What is the predicted future of polyandry in the village?

Polyandry is expected to vanish in the next two or three generations as family planning becomes more widespread, and families have fewer sons. With no need to preserve land through multiple husbands, the practice may die out.

How do those who practice polyandry feel about it?

Many of those who practice polyandry find comfort and satisfaction in the arrangement. They appreciate the communal and peaceful life it fosters, even if they face material hardships.