Sororate Marriage

Sororate marriage is a type of marriage in which a husband engages in marriage or sexual relations with the sister of his wife, usually after the death of his wife, or once his wife has proven infertile.

From an anthropological standpoint, this type of marriage strengthens the ties between both groups (the wife's family or clan and the husband's) and preserves the contract between the two to provide children and continue the alliance. It is seen among some European-American families, although it is not an imperative tradition.

The Athabaskan-speaking Inuit people (formerly known as Eskimos) of northern Alaska, Canada and Greenland follow or followed this custom. It is also followed by the Chiricahua group of the Western Apache, who are Athabaskan speaking, as is levirate marriage.

Sororate marriage is also practiced by the Sioux (Lakota) tribes, and some Western Mono tribes in California, such as the Wuksachi or Waksachi.

Sororate marriage is also practiced by the Swazi people and for the same reasons as stated. This type of marriage is also made in Bhutan. The former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (the current king's father) is married to four wives, all of whom are sisters. There is also evidence that sororate marriage existed in ancient China.

Levirate marriage and junior sororate marriage are permitted for the Hindu Bania caste. Levirate marriage was encouraged among ancient Jewish cultures.