Levirate marriage

Levirate marriage is the practice of a woman marrying one of her husband's sons or brothers after her husband's death, in order to continue his line. Levirate marriage has been practiced by societies with a strong clan structure in which exogamous marriage outside the clan was forbidden. Groups that have practiced levirate marriage include the Israelites, the Xiongnu, the Mongols, and the Tibetans.

For the view of levirate marriage in Judaism, see Yibbum.

See also

• sororate marriage
• ghost marriage
• incest