Information:
In Gambia polygamy is a widely accepted (if not a widely debated) practice.
Islamic tradition allows a man to marry up to four wives. They are usually
referred to as co-wives. The highest status wife is the first wife.
Usually a man’s first wife will be a woman about his same age, but other
wives who are married over the years tend to be much younger and in
some cases wives can be over half their age. Partly due to the fact
that older men marry the available younger women, men tend to marry
at an older average age (29) than women, who marry at an average age
of 19. Polygamy is losing popularity among the younger generation of
men who see first-hand the economic ramifications of supporting a large
family on a limited income. Many of this current Gambian generation
prefers to have just one wife.
However, polygamy is only allowed by Islam if he can support the extra
partner otherwise it is forbidden. This rule has not stopped many Gambians
of the older generation marrying more than one wife knowing full well
they will run into difficulties. The reason for this is because multiple
marriages are seen as a status symbol in Gambia.
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Culture & Traditions
Muslims Weddings
