Lineage (anthropology)
A lineage is a unilineal descent group that can demonstrate their common descent from a known apical ancestor. Unilineal lineages can be matrilineal or patrilineal, depending on whether they are traced through mothers or fathers, respectively. Whether matrilineal or patrilineal descent is considered most significant differs from culture to culture.
| Part of a series on the |
| Anthropology of kinship |
|---|
 |
|
Social anthropology Cultural anthropology |
Matrilineal descent is associated with certain characteristics such as matriarchy, matrilocality and consanguinity. However a system can be matrilineal without possessing such characteristics.
References
- Kuper, A. (1982). "Lineage Theory: A Critical Retrospect". Annual Review of Anthropology, 11, 71–95. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2155776
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.