Page 74 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 11: Changes in Land and
Lineage Structure

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
11.1 Inheritance of Status and Property
11.2 Lineage Structure

11.3 The Kinship Network and Social Change
11.4 Continuity and Change: The Institution of Kinship
11.5 Summary

11.6 Keywords
11.7 Review Questions
11.8 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, students will be able to:
• Describe inheritance of status and property
• Discuss lineage structure
• Explain the kinship network and social change
• Describe continuity and change

Introduction
In the 19th century it was believed (by Morgan, Engels and others) that kinship systems had de-
veloped through similar stages in different parts of the world, from matrilineal to patrilineal and
cognatic systems, and from “primitive promiscuity” with no proper marriage arrangements, to
polygamy and then monogamy. Naturally the 19th century thinkers assumed that European
and American kinship patterns were the most advanced. This is for the most part conjecture: it
is supported by only some of the evidence from certain parts of the world. It is probably true
that in early hominid society, as among chimpanzees, mother-children links were strong and
mating may not have given rise to strong male-female relationships. It is also true that among
some groups (such as the Nyar) matrilineal kinship has given way to other forms. But otherwise
there seem to be few links between type of kinship organisation and level of social development.
The Nyar case, and many others, shows that kinship institutions can change quite rapidly when
the economic and political conditions are right, and may have done so many times throughout
history. Simple hunter-gatherer societies like the Southern African Bushmen and Eskimos have
kinship systems rather like those of the modern English or Americans. Kinship systems are ob-
viously linked to the economy, and to labor and property relations.

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