Duway: An Inquiry on the Psychosocial Wellbeing of Tagakaolo Women in Polygamous Marriage

Polygamous marriage involves a husband having the right to choose multiple wives in addition to their first marriage. In the Tagakaolo tribe, men are allowed to choose multiple wives after an agreed-upon dowry, leading the women as passive recipients of this practice. Hence, this qualitative phenomenological study aimed to uncover the lived experiences, psychosocial well-being, and insights of these women. By using the in-depth interviews and FGD guided by a semi-structured interview guide, this study gathered data from a total of twelve (12) Tagakaolo women, selected purposively. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis to unravel themes. The findings revealed three (3) themes in the lived experience of study participants on polygamous marriage: crying in silence, getting used to the “Duway” practice, and abiding with the customs and traditions.  The psychosocial well-being of the participants is also described by the following themes: embracing the situation as brought by fate, practicing open communication solves issues, and maintaining a passive attitude. As for the insights, these themes emerged: communication is the lifeline of a relationship, polygamous marriage is never easy, and polygamous marriage is only amiable if with agreement in writing. The findings imply that while polygamy is respected and honored by the Tagakaolo Tribe, it has detrimental implications on women’s psychological, social, and emotional well-being.