1. Chapter 8 Kinship and Descent

2. Why Study Kinship and Descent? Relationships based on kinship are the core of a culture's social organization. Relationships based on kinship are the core of a culture's social organization. Societies vary in their kinship and descent systems. Societies vary in their kinship and descent systems. The kinds and sizes of groups formed using kinship and descent principles are diverse. The kinds and sizes of groups formed using kinship and descent principles are diverse.

3. Terminology Kin group: members share a sense of identity as relatives. Kin group: members share a sense of identity as relatives. Descent group: members believe they’re descended from a common ancestor. Descent group: members believe they’re descended from a common ancestor. Lineage: unilineal descent group whose members can trace their descent to a common ancestor 4-5 generations ago. (demonstrated descent) Lineage: unilineal descent group whose members can trace their descent to a common ancestor 4-5 generations ago. (demonstrated descent) Clan: unilineal descent group whose members may not be able to trace descent, but believe they’re related through an ancestor (or totem) from long ago. (stipulated descent) Clan: unilineal descent group whose members may not be able to trace descent, but believe they’re related through an ancestor (or totem) from long ago. (stipulated descent)

4. Unilineal Descent: Relatives related through only one sex Patrilineal descent Patrilineal descent People trace their primary kinship connections to the ancestors and living relatives of their fathers. People trace their primary kinship connections to the ancestors and living relatives of their fathers. Matrilineal descent Matrilineal descent People trace their primary kinship connections to the ancestors and living relatives of their mothers. People trace their primary kinship connections to the ancestors and living relatives of their mothers.

5. Bilateral Kinship Individuals trace kin relations equally through both parents. Individuals trace kin relations equally through both parents. Unlike descent groups no large, well-defined, property-holding groups exist. Unlike descent groups no large, well-defined, property-holding groups exist. Tracing kin relationships bilaterally produces an association of relatives known as a kindred (all the bilateral relatives of an individual). Tracing kin relationships bilaterally produces an association of relatives known as a kindred (all the bilateral relatives of an individual).

6. Influences on Kinship Systems 60% of foraging societies are bilateral or cognatic (individuals choose which group to affiliate with). 60% of foraging societies are bilateral or cognatic (individuals choose which group to affiliate with). 75% of pastoral societies have patrilineal descent as livestock are most often owned & managed by men. 75% of pastoral societies have patrilineal descent as livestock are most often owned & managed by men. Patrilineal descent has been interpreted as a way to improve success in intergroup warfare. Patrilineal descent has been interpreted as a way to improve success in intergroup warfare. 60% of matrilineal cultures are horticultural, yet most horticultural societies have patrilineal descent. 60% of matrilineal cultures are horticultural, yet most horticultural societies have patrilineal descent.

7. Cultural Construction of Kinship The idea that the kinship relationships a given people recognize do not perfectly reflect biological relationships. The idea that the kinship relationships a given people recognize do not perfectly reflect biological relationships. As children grow up in a community, they socially learn the logic by which their culture classifies “relatives”. As children grow up in a community, they socially learn the logic by which their culture classifies “relatives”. Categories of kinship do not simply reflect biological/genetic relationships. Categories of kinship do not simply reflect biological/genetic relationships.

8. Terminology Named after the people discovered using each system: Named after the people discovered using each system: Eskimo Eskimo Hawaiian Hawaiian Iroquois Iroquois Omaha Omaha Crow Crow

9. Eskimo System Used in America and most other “Western” cultures, as well as most hunter-gatherers. Used in America and most other “Western” cultures, as well as most hunter-gatherers. Mother - Ego's biological mother. Mother - Ego's biological mother. Father - Ego's biological father. Father - Ego's biological father. Aunt - father's sister and mother's sister. Aunt - father's sister and mother's sister. Uncle - father's brother and mother's brother. Uncle - father's brother and mother's brother. Brother/Sister - children of mother and father. Brother/Sister - children of mother and father.

10. Eskimo Kinship terminology