Polyandry Is an Option

When people hear the word "polygamy," they might automatically think about patriarchal polygyny, which is the subset of polygamy which involves having multiple wives. There are, however, multiple forms of polygamy, including polyandry. Polyandry involves having multiple husbands. In some places, it is traditional, and usually includes brothers.

An article at legit.ng notes, unfortunately while seeming to use "polygamy" when it really means "polygyny," "5 places where women were allowed to have more than one husband"...

1. Nigeria The Irigwe people living on the western edge of Plateau, Jos are a unique people numbering around 17,000. This small group of people are known to be ardent subscribers of polyandry and it comes as no surprise as their distinctive language and social traditions sets them apart from neighbouring tribes. The Irigwe people of Nigeria practiced polyandry for many decades until it was voted to outlaw in 1968. Prior to that women were allowed to have 'co-husbands' and moved freely from one man's house to another, having multiple spouses, and their children’s paternity was assigned to the husband whose house the woman lived in at the time.

The article then goes on to name Kenya, India, China, and Brazil.

Traditional or not, an adult, regardless of gender, should be free to share love, sex, residence, and marriage (and any of those without the others) with any and all consenting adults. As such, anyone who wants to be married to multiple husbands should be truly free to be in such relationships. There is no good reason to deny such basic rights.

Hong Kong Still Prosecuting Consenting Adults

Jane analyzes a criminal case against adults for having sex. If one person was victimized by the other, why would both be prosecuted? Assualt should bring very tough sentences. Consensual affection should not be a matter for law enforcement.

Married Couple Confirm They are Half Siblings

Another case of possible Genetic Sexual Attraction has made news. From chinasmack.com...

In Jiangxi Province, a young married couple were always teased for “looking like each other”. Not long ago, the wife’s father suddenly spoke of a secret: it turns out that many years ago, he and the husband’s mother were secret lovers. Later on, the husband’s mother became pregnant, while the wife’s father fell in love and married someone else. On top of that, the husband’s mother has been dead for over 20 years, so this secret was almost buried forever, up until this young married couple decided to have a child.

Affairs, flings, one-night-stands, divorce/death and subsequent remarriage, etc. have always been a reality in making half-siblings. But now, with sperm, egg, and embryo donations, this is going to be happening more.

In early November, the couple chose to go to the Furong Forensic Centre of the No. 2 Provincial People’s Hospital in Hunan in order to do a DNA test. The results dealt them a heavy blow.

If someone is happy with their partner, they shouldn't let prejudice tear them apart. It is one thing to understand that, another to live it out.

Cao Wei and Xiao Qian (aliases) both grew up in the same city in Jiangxi Province. They lived near each other and had known each other since they were youngsters. Cao Wei is 4 years older than Xiao Qian and always looked after her the way a big brother would. Their relationship gradually began to change ever so subtlety, eventually becoming a romantic relationship.

If they were in each other's life from an early age, then some people would say this doesn't meet the "classic" definition of Genetic Sexual Attraction. However, it could still be an attraction that was based, in part, on shared genes.

On November 20th, legal medical expert and head of the material evidence examination room at the Forensic Centre, Dr Huang Jian, said it was currently unknown how Cao Wei and Xiao Qian would deal with their marriage. She believes that Bao Gen’s irresponsibility not only thoroughly discredits him, but has also deeply hurt his children.

It would hurt a lot less if we supported the right of consenting adults to be together. Did the DNA test reveal any serious genetic risks?

Some of the comments left after the article expressed doubt that this is a real story, but there are people going through this sort of thing all over the world.

Taiwanese Perfoming Artist Affectionate With Mother

That shouldn't make headlines, but unforunately it did. Show Luo is is a singer, dancer, and actor who has been the target bigoted remarks. From asiapopstarnews.wordpress.com...

The series of concerts have drained him physically and mentally as he had to challenge difficult dance steps, performing dangerous stunts such as singing on a flying wheel. As a result, Show’s mother was terribly worried and had to even seek medication to stabilise her blood pressure.

At the post-concert celebration, Show said, “What I want to do now is to say sorry to my mother”. Show subsequently demonstrated his love for his mother by kissing her on her lips.

Earlier, the pop singer had been criticised as being incestuous for kissing his mother on her lips. Unfazed by the harsh criticisms, Show said, “Those who called me incestuous Show do not know what love is!”

He added, “I only have one mother. If I do not love her, who else will?”

These are adults. Whatever level of affection they have should be up to them, not anyone outside their relationship. Nobody should be discouraged from hugging, hand-holding, or kissing in public because other people have a proglem with affection.

Marriage Traditions

I found something I found interesting, even if the translation needs to be smoothed out. It is called "Unique Marriage Styles of Tujia in Ancient Times." However, I don't think the styles are so unique.

It refers to "Group Marriage, Even Marriage, and Monogamy."

The Jade Emperor was very angry and made it be raining heavely. Most people died of the flood, but both brother Busuo and sister Yongnee escaped the disaster because they lived together in a sleeve. Later, Shiyitujie, the god of marriage, persuaded them to get married, and then a mass of flesh was born.

 Also...

She lived in a cave with two eagles every day. She was pregnant , and finally gave the birth of her son Tan Tianfei and her daughter Tan zhilan. Then, these two brother and sister got married and had eight children. 

Referring to "free" marriage...

In addition, it is also permitted for Tujia boy to get married with his adopted-sister. “Adopted -Sister Song” is recorded, “Adopted-sister, Orange tree’s leaf, Brother plays with adopted-sister at day, and sleep with adopted-sister at night.”

Ruled by the King Tusi during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty, monogamy was popular in Zhangjiajie region, but polygamy was also existed in rich family.

It goes on with some other marriage traditions. It is a reminder the idea that all marriages must be heterosexual, monogamous, and nonconsanguineous that is new.

Director Niu Chen-Zer to Do Film About Incest

News from China…

Flush from the Taiwanese box-office success of Monga, director Niu Chen-Zer has announced that filming on his next project, Love, will begin next month.

Budgeted at 40 million yuan ($6.19 million) and featuring Monga stars Juan Ching-Tien and Chao Yu-t’ing and newcomers Hsu Chi and Zhao Wei, Love tackles the controversial subject of incest, with both Hsu and Juan and Zhao and Chao playing romantic couples in the high-profile film.

I know nothing about the script. The headline says that the film will be “incest-themed.” I’m assuming it will be about consanguinamory between adults, as incest meaning “child rape” is hardly controversial; everyone except some of the perpetrators condemns such a crime. We need more films realistically and fairly depicting romantic and sexual relationships between consenting adult relatives, ones that don’t treat the characters as objects of ridicule for loving each other.