adelphic polyandry

Adelphic polyandry is a marriage custom where a woman is married to two or more men who are brothers. This practice is also known as fraternal polyandry. The term "adelphic" comes from the Greek word for brotherly or sisterly.12

In adelphic polyandry, children are often considered to be descended from the eldest brother, or fatherhood may be established through ceremony or equally among all husbands. This form of polyandry is rare and is generally seen as a response to specific local conditions, such as sex ratios or economic factors. It is distinct from other forms of polygamy, such as polygyny, where one man is married to multiple women.13