Exogamy is a form of marriage in which individuals marry outside of their own social group, typically defined by religion, racial, or ethnic boundaries. It is a common practice among many cultures and is believed to be an important factor in the development and maintenance of strong social networks and solidarity among those who practice it (Njoku, 2011).
Exogamy is distinct from endogamy, which is a form of marriage in which individuals marry within their own social group. Exogamy is thought to be beneficial in that it encourages the exchange of cultural knowledge, values and traditions, and it also serves to strengthen ties between different groups (Njoku, 2011). In addition, it has been suggested that exogamy may help to prevent inbreeding and genetic disorders, which can occur when people of the same lineage intermarry (Goodman & Neff, 2010).
Exogamous marriage has been documented in many parts of the world, including Africa, India, China, and the Middle East (Goodman & Neff, 2010). In some cultures, such as the Yoruba of Nigeria, exogamous marriage is a mandatory practice (Njoku, 2011). In other cultures, exogamous marriages may be discouraged, but still occur. In some cases, exogamy is a matter of choice, as individuals may choose to marry outside of their own social group in order to gain access to resources or to pursue other goals (Goodman & Neff, 2010).
Although exogamy has been documented in many cultures, its effects and implications are still not well understood. Further research is needed to understand the role of exogamy in various social contexts and to investigate how it contributes to the maintenance of social networks and solidarity.
References
Goodman, S., & Neff, S. (2010). Cross-cultural perspectives on exogamy. Anthropological Quarterly, 83(3), 635–655.
Njoku, J. (2011). Exogamy and incest taboos: An African perspective. Anthropological Quarterly, 84(3), 745–757.