Kinship Patterns

1. Kinship Patterns

2. Kinship is recognized differently around the world, resulting in different patterns. • Anthropologists typically use diagrams to illustrate the kinship pattern.

3. In kinship patterns, one individual is labeled the “ego”. • In tracing a kinship, all relationships would be traced to this person (ie if you were tracing your kinship).

4. Unilineal Descent • Most cultures limit the range of descent to a single line of ancestors. • Patrilineal descent is traced through the father’s kin. • Only males pass on the descent line to their children.

5. Unilineal Descent • Matrilenal descent is traced through the mother’s kin. • Only daughters can pass on the descent line to their children.

6. Matrilineal • In matrilineal line, special importance is placed on the mother’s brother. • In the Ashanti Kingdom of Central Ghana, a king traditionally passes his title and status on to his sister's son.  • A king's own biological son does not inherit the kingship because he is not a member of the ruling matrilineal family group.   • Women usually inherit status and property directly from their mothers in matrilineal societies

7. Bilineal • 40% of societies around the world trace descent through both mother and father’s line. • The Yäko of southeastern Nigeria are an example of a society with bilineal descent.  • Their important portable property, including livestock and money, are inherited matrilineally.  • Fixed property, such as farm plots, pass down through the patrilinal line as do rights to trees and other forest products

8. Parallel Descent • Men trace their ancestry through male lines and women trace theirs through female lines.

9. Ambilineal Descent • Descent from either males or females is recognized, but individuals may select only one line to trace descent. • Choosing one side over the other often has to do with the importance of each family.

10. Bilateral Descent • Most people in Europe and North America trace descent from all biological ancestors regardless of their gender and side of the family.  • All male and female children are members of both their father's and mother's families

11. People do not always follow their culture's descent principles precisely.  • Kinship is often manipulated.   • People may create or deny links to particular ancestors in order to make their genealogy come out to their advantage.

12. Naming Systems • All societies have standard names for specific kinds of relatives. • For example – aunts and uncles. • Anthropologists have discovered there are only 6 naming systems in the world • Eskimo • Hawaiian • Sudanese • Omaha • Crow • Iroquois

13. Eskimo • The Eskimo naming system is the most common in Europe and North America. • Members of the nuclear family are given terms of reference based only on gender and generation (father, mother) • One other relative holds this name.

14. Hawaiian • The least complex naming system • Nuclear family is de-emphasized • Relatives of extended family distinguished only by gender and generation. • Ego’s father as well as all male members of the same generation would have the same reference name (likewise for females). • This naming system is practiced in Hawaii and Polynesian Islands

15. Sudanese • The most complex naming system. • Each category of relative is given a specific term. • Therefore there can be as many as 8 different terms for cousins. • This naming system is found in Sudan and Turkey • It mirrors the society in how naming can reflect class, occupation and political power.

16. Omaha, Crow and Iroquois • Though different, these three naming systems emphasize parallel cousins and cross cousins. • Omaha use patrilineal descent • Crow use matrilineal descent • Iroquois is ambilenal descent

17. Assignment • Using one of the kinship patterns illustrate your family’s genealogy. • Indicate if what pattern your family uses. • If possible try to trace back at least 3 generations (great-grandparents). • Use your name instead of Ego.