Polygamy is a system where the man has more than one woman at the same time, or even, being less common, where the wife has more than one husband simultaneously. Polygamy is a term of Greek origin, meaning many marriages.
Polygamy is the opposite of monogamy, and consists of marriage with more than one person, when the man has several women, it is called polygyny, and it is the most common to happen, but there is also polygamy where the woman is married to several men, and in this case, much less common, and it is called polyandry (It is more frequent in matrilineal societies).
Polygamy is not related to having lovers, which in this case is a situation of adultery, when an individual has another relationship, but one of the partners doesn't know. In the polygamy system, everyone involved is aware of the system they are in, and it is even allowed by some religions and even by the legislation of some countries.
Polygamy has been present for many centuries, in several countries, but it has fallen into disuse over time. In Islam, it has been practiced for centuries, including by the prophet Mohammed, and even today it is adopted in Muslim countries, regulated even by the Koran, the holy book of the Muslims, which allows man to have a maximum of four wifes. Even within the realm of religion, polygamy was allowed for Mormons until 1890, when the system was considered prohibited.
Polygamy is also used in the animal kingdom, designated for the relationship where animals have several sexual partners during their reproduction period.
Polygamy in Brazil
Article 235 of the Brazilian Penal Code contemplates penalties for cases of polygamy or bigamy. Those who are married and remarry may face a prison sentence of two to six years. This article also indicates that an unmarried individual but who enters into marriage with a married person (knowing this fact) may be punished with imprisonment or imprisonment for one to three years.
Nevertheless, if there is no legal connection, that is, if there is no marriage according to the law, a man can have more than one woman and a woman more than one man.