Sororal Polygyny

A type of marriage in which two or more sisters share a husband. The first wife is usually considered the senior or honoured wife. It is thought that rivalry is reduced by sororal polygyny, as the assumption is that sisters will be more likely to share a husband amicably.

Where polygyny exists, an "anticipatory sororate" may be practiced, in which a degree of sexual permissiveness is allowed between a husband and his wife's sister in anticipation of a presumed future marriage between them.