Its common in parts of the Arab world....middle-eastern and eastern cultures. Also in some cultures that we would call "primative". then there were the Mormons...
Cac4, I have Mormon/LDS neighbors. I service the LDS copier. Zero polygamous.
I have done some forum chatting with college teachers that are Muslim. According to what I am told, a low percentage are polygamous. It is usally the people that are still tribal like, and like you say primative.
Lou, I'm not arguing for or against any one cultural norm. I'm just saying, that's what it is: a concept created and perpetuated by humans...particularly those of our western culture. long term, permanent monogamy isn't necessarily the "one true/pure state of being" to which all humans should aspire. At least, there are others that don't think so, and their societies aren't set up that way...seems to work for them. Mormons used to be polygamous. over 100 years ago. yeah, I know they denounced the practice...100 years ago (so that utah could become a state). There are still "fundamentalist" sects that maintain the practice, though.
Osama's old man was one of the very richest men in Saudi Arabia (and hence, "the world"), and the family still has big money interests all over the world. He (they) aren't just a bunch of country bumpkins, like me. I doubt its nearly as "rare" as your friend implies.
I doubt its nearly as "rare" as your friend implies.