The world is full of diverse traditions and cultural beliefs. The idea of marriage, for instance, can take on many fascinating forms. Some of these extend far beyond the concept of two individuals pledging a lifelong partnership in a monogamous union. In certain societies, polygamy has flourished for centuries, and they are often shaped by ancient customs and religious principles. In these countries, having multiple spouses is not only accepted, but sometimes celebrated as part of their cultural identity.
But despite the fact that 42 sovereign nations have legalized polygamy, only about 2% of the global population actually lives in polygamous households. Still, that’s about 164 million people worldwide! Curious? Click through this gallery to see which countries have laws that allow marriages like these.