Sororate marriage

How the custom works

The ritual begins when the primary wife passes away or proves infertile. The husband then engages with or marries her sister. Anthropologists note this strengthens ties between the two families involved. It preserves the original contract made between the clans. The goal is to provide children and continue the alliance. In some groups, like the Swazi people, this maintains social stability. For the Western Apache and Sioux tribes, it follows similar logic. The Inuit communities in northern regions have also observed this pattern historically.

Religious views

Judaism offers early examples in the Hebrew Bible. Jacob married both Rachel and Leah. Later laws prohibited marrying a living wife's sister. However, marrying a deceased wife's sister was allowed. Christianity has varied on this issue. Catholic canon law permits a widower to marry his deceased wife's sister. Some Lutheran groups prohibit such unions due to kinship rules. The Presbyterian Church removed prohibitions against these marriages in 1887. Methodism founder John Wesley believed biblical laws permitted the union.

Regional practices

In Bhutan, this form of marriage is still practiced. Former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck had four wives who were sisters. Ancient China also shows evidence of this custom. Among the Kurds, sororate marriage helps protect young children. If a wife dies before having children or leaves young ones behind, her family provides another wife. A younger sister often takes this role. The bride price may be lower. This ensures land inheritance stays within the family line.

How Sororate marriage is kept

The husband identifies the sister of his deceased or infertile wife. He then proposes marriage to her or her family. In Kurdish communities, a younger sister might accept with a reduced bride price. The union solidifies the bond between the two clans. It guarantees care for any existing children from the first marriage. The process varies by culture but always aims to preserve family unity and lineage continuity.

When and where

It happens after the first wife dies or if she cannot have children. The timing depends on the specific circumstances of the first marriage ending. There is no fixed calendar date for this event.

This custom appears in various cultures globally. It is found among the Inuit in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. It exists among the Chiricahua Apache and Sioux tribes in North America. It is also practiced in Bhutan and has historical roots in ancient China.

What Sororate marriage means

The practice symbolizes the unbreakable bond between two families. By marrying the sister, the husband maintains the alliance. It ensures that children stay within the familiar clan structure. The custom prioritizes the welfare of offspring and the preservation of family wealth. It reflects a deep commitment to kinship over individual choice.

Who takes part

• The husband: Marry the sister of his deceased or infertile wife
• The sister: Become the new wife to support the family unit
• The families: Negotiate the union and ensure child welfare

Then and now

The practice is less common today due to changing legal and social norms. In Bhutan, it remains part of royal tradition. Other communities have largely moved away from this custom as modern laws and individual rights become more prominent.

Questions people ask about Sororate marriage

See also

GroomsmanA male attendant who supports the groom and assists guests at a wedding.Slave marriages in the United StatesThe unions formed by enslaved African Americans before and after the abolition of slavery in the US.WimpelA linen sash made from a baby boy's circumcision cloth that binds the Torah scroll.Blessing ceremony of the Unification ChurchA large-scale marriage rededication or new union ceremony that engrafts couples into a sinless lineage.

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Sororate marriage on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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 2026-10-05.