Page 17 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Unit 2: Kinship: Basic Terms and Concepts: Lineage, Clan, Phratry, Moiety ...

from this. First, that family is found in all types of societies and all cultural levels whereas sib is Notes
neither so primitive nor so developed but is present in the medium class societies. Second, rela-
tion between maternal sib (Maternity) and paternal sib (Paternity) is neither reasonable func-
tional type and nor stably sequential type.
Discussing about the possible reasons of the origin of the maternity and paternity Lowy has told
that the way that one-sidedness emphasized in both of these, seeing which it may be enough
reason to consider their origin due to the combined effect in one direction of the ways of suc-
cession of house and property. The unchangeable nomination unaffected by marriage is the
introducer of its permanent membership and lineage is its carrier. Even though, daughters in
paternity and sons in maternity cannot transfer further the property got as their share from their
ancestors. In this way, the only linear succession of the property maintains its one-sided impor-
tance. In Reddy lineages an exception came to see that the female doesn’t adopt the family name
of her husband. This system is also popular in Todas.

Lineage Organisation in Indian Tribes

All the tribes of India including backward tribes like Kumar, Chenchu and Birhor has lineages.
Several neo-descriptors had described about the different tribes of India related to two main
tribes namely Mangol and Proto-Australian. The Kadar and Baiga tribes are notable main ex-
ceptions of Andaman Island residents. In this the Baiga tribe is one of the gond group tribe and
because the tradition of lineage is found in this, thus it may be possible that the description of
Baiga may be dropped.
Pigmis of Andaman are the most backward people of the world. Mane and Redcliff Brown
has found many popular tribes. Both have described the married couple and the nuclear family
evolved from their children. Portman had told that generally the situation calling “sept” was
popular (Reverse has used the word “sept” with clan and sib). Redcliff Brown has not seen sept
but expressed his view that these septs are some local groups to get together and to deal friend-
ship on the occasions of festivals.
In other Indian tribes, no such special example is available about anyone by which the absence
of lineage is proved in it. In situation of the lack of vocabulary used in such studies and general
absence of the definition of words used by every neo-descriptors, it is very difficult to reach on
any clear conclusion.
Lineage is found in Nagas of Assam also. The local groups namely Khel are regional only and it
is not necessary that it may also a kinship group.
According to neo-narrators J. Shakespeare of Kuki tribe, in Lushai kukis, lineage groups are a
little bit bigger than a joint family and no clear forms of lineage is seen in their social life. These
lineages are divided in family. It is not clear from the description of Shakespeare that the tradi-
tion of the unilateral importance in these lineages or not. In same way, it is also not clear what
the reality of exogamous character of these lineages is, because from the description of Shake-
speare, it is only clear about the limited exogamy like prohibition of marriage among nearest
relatives only. Thus, it is confusing that in which meaning; the lineage is used for these people.
According to Gordan, lineage is found in Khasi tribes also. These lineages are told to be exoga-
mous. In this the need related to definition of lineage is fulfilled in form of satisfaction. Khasi
are mother linear people, in this the residence is mother’s place, whether it is temporary even.
The violation of lineage exogamy is considered dangerous in such meaning that it may lead to
destructive socio-religious result. Succession of property was provided to ladies. So, it presents
a good example of social organisation based on Khasi lineages.
Korba is an endogenous tribe which is divided in exogamous lineages. Knowledge of exoga-
mous tradition is given about many proto-australian tribes of middle India. In this, lineage is not
related to exogamy only but also related to totemism also. There are more than hundred line-
ages in Santhals which are nomenclated on the basis of plants, animals or physical substances.

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