A customary marriage is potentially polygamous. This means that a man can marry as many wives as he wishes under the customary norms and practices of his area. However, he must fulfil each woman’s customary requirements.

• Although Islamic law considers 16 years as the age at which a Moslem may marry, the constitution provides 18 years as the age at which individuals wishing to marry may marry.
• The parties must not have any close blood relations with each other.
• A man marries up to four wives provided that he can treat them equally in all ways, thus, love, material possession and sexual intercourse.
• The man and woman must freely consent to the marriage.
• The man must give the woman “mahari” which is property of a certain value before she can allow marrying him. The value she sets cannot be bargained upon.
• A man and woman cannot remarry during “eda” that is the three months waiting period after the divorce or death of a spouse.

Children, whether born in wedlock or out of wedlock, are recognised as children under the law and they are equal. Both girls and boys have an equal share in the property of a deceased parent.