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Polygamy in Turkey
The practice of having multiple spouses, banned by law since the mid-twentieth century.
Turkey outlawed polygamy through its civil code in 1926. The custom persists quietly in rural areas with Kurdish populations despite strict legal penalties.
When is Polygamy in Turkey kept?
Polygamy in Turkey is kept on historically before 1926; now illegal.
Polygamy refers to a marriage structure where one person has multiple spouses. Turkey abolished this practice legally in 1926 as part of broader secular reforms. While rare today, the custom remains present in specific rural communities within the country.
Legal history
The Turkish Civil Code of 1926 officially ended polygamy. This change was a key part of Atatürk's secularist reforms. The state promoted secularism and later enforced even stricter bans. Violating the law carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. The government views the practice as incompatible with modern national values.
Current practice
Although uncommon in mainstream Turkish society, the tradition continues in some areas. It is most visible in the rural southeast among Kurdish populations. These communities maintain the custom despite the national prohibition. The practice exists outside the formal legal framework recognized by the state.
When and where
Rural southeastern Turkey, particularly among Kurdish communities.
Then and now
The practice is illegal and socially marginal. It survives only in isolated rural pockets. Mainstream society rejects it due to strong secular laws.
Questions people ask about Polygamy in Turkey
When is Polygamy in Turkey kept?
Polygamy in Turkey is kept on historically before 1926; now illegal.
Is polygamy legal in Turkey?
No. Polygamy was abolished by the Turkish Civil Code in 1926. It is strictly prohibited by law.
Where does polygamy still occur?
It persists in rural areas of southeastern Turkey, primarily within Kurdish communities.
What are the penalties for polygamy?
Individuals found practicing polygamy face imprisonment for up to two years.
See also
Bride buying in IndiaThe forced purchase of women from impoverished regions for arranged marriages in Northern India.Polygamy in BangladeshThe practice of men taking multiple wives, regulated by different laws for Muslims and Hindus.ArabikalyanamA temporary marriage arrangement between Arabian men and women in Kerala that has been linked to exploitation.Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Polygamy in Turkey", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryShaadi rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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