Lineage (anthropology)

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In anthropology, a lineage is a unilineal descent group that traces its ancestry to a demonstrably shared ancestor, known as the apical ancestor. [1] [2] [3] Lineages are formed through relationships traced either exclusively through the maternal line (matrilineage), paternal line (patrilineage), or some combination of both (ambilineal). [4] The cultural significance of matrilineal or patrilineal descent varies greatly, shaping social structures, inheritance patterns, and even rituals across societies. [5]

Contents

Etymology

From Middle English linage, from Old French linage, from ligne, from Latin linea (“line”); equivalent to line + -age.

Characteristics

A lineage is a descent group characterized by unilineal descent. [1] This means that lineage membership is determined by tracing ancestry through either a single line (unilineal), either maternal or paternal, [3] or through a combination of both lines (ambilineal). [4] This differentiates lineages from other descent groups like clans, which may have a shared ancestor but lack the demonstrably documented or traditionally accepted apical ancestor from whom all members descend. [6] There are three forms of lineage, matrilineage, patrilineage, and ambilineal. [4]

An example of a Matrilineage over 4 generations Baby Mother Grandmother and Great Grandmother.jpg
An example of a Matrilineage over 4 generations

In matrilineage, descent is traced exclusively through the maternal line. [7] Children inherit lineage membership from their mother, and the lineage consists of a mother, her children, and her children's children who are all matrilineally related. The Minangkabau people of Indonesia, being a Jew in the Jewish religion, [8] and the Khasi people of India are well-known examples of societies with prominent matrilineal structures. [9]

In patrilineage, descent is traced exclusively through the paternal line. [10] Children inherit lineage membership from their father, and the lineage consists of a father, his children, and his children's children who are all patrilineally related. [11] Patrilineages are more common globally, with examples found in many cultures, such as much of South East Asia. [12] [13]

An example of an Ambilineal lineage Ambilineal Descent System.png
An example of an Ambilineal lineage

In ambilineal lineage, descent is traced through either the maternal and/or the paternal lines, usually meaning that the individuals choose whether to affiliate with their mother or their father's group, or both. [14] [15] Ambilineal lineage can be bilineal or bilateral. [16] [17] [18] Ambilineal lineages are relatively rare in more under-developed societies, such as South East Asia, [4] and very common in modernized societies, such as the United States and Western Europe. [19]

In Bilineal lineage (also known as double descent), children are part of both their mother and their father's groups. [20] [21] [17] This results in many more people in a lineage. [22] Examples of bilineal lineage include the Yako people of Nigeria. [23] [21]

Lineages play a large role in social organization across cultures. [24] They influence inheritance patterns, with property and titles often passed down within the lineage. [25] In addition, lineages often have religious significance, with one's ancestorial history often determining one's religion and position in that religion. [26] The structure of lineages also leads to stability, [3] social obligations, and reciprocity among members, providing support networks and a sense of shared identity. [27]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Definition of LINEAGE". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "Yinhawangka People". Paraburdoo, Western Australia: Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "Lineage | Family History, Kinship & Descent". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Nature of Kinship: Descent Principles (Part 1)". San Marcos, California: Palomar Community College. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  5. ↑ ""Maternal" vs. "Paternal" – What's The Difference?". Choice DNA. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Clans and Lineages". Between Two Worlds. St. Olaf College. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Definition of Matrilineage". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  8. ↑ Paz RY (29 September 2021). "The Stubborn Subversiveness of Judaism's Matrilineal Principle". Verfassungsblog. doi:10.17176/20210930-004728-0.
  9. ↑ "Matrilineal society | Definition, Examples, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannia. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Definition of Patrilineage". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Strassmann BI, Kurapati NT (June 2016). "What Explains Patrilineal Cooperation?" . Current Anthropology. 57 (S13): S118 –S130. doi:10.1086/685762. ISSN   0011-3204.
  12. ↑ Shenk MK, Begley RO, Nolin DA, Swiatek A (September 2019). "When does matriliny fail? The frequencies and causes of transitions to and from matriliny estimated from a de novo coding of a cross-cultural sample". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 374 (1780): 20190006. doi:10.1098/rstb.2019.0006. PMC   6664135 . PMID   31303165.
  13. ↑ "Patrilineage | sociology | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  14. ↑ Coult AD (February 1964). "Role allocation, position structuring, and ambilineal descent". American Anthropologist. 66 (1): 29–40. doi:10.1525/aa.1964.66.1.02a00030.
  15. ↑ "Ambilineal Descent Definition & Explanation". Sociology Plus. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  16. ↑ "The Nature of Kinship: Glossary of Terms". www.palomar.edu. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  17. 1 2 "The Nature of Kinship: Glossary of Terms". www.palomar.edu. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  18. ↑ "The Nature of Kinship: Glossary of Terms". www.palomar.edu. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  19. ↑ Matresse C. "Reading: Lines of Descent and Family Stages | Sociology". Lumen Learning. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  20. ↑ Bell K (24 December 2014). "bilineal descent definition". Open Education Sociology Dictionary.
  21. 1 2 "10.6: Kinship". Social Sci LibreTexts. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  22. ↑ "Types of Descent: Patrilineal, Matrilineal, and Bilateral Systems". Testbook. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  23. ↑ "Meaning of Double Descent in Anthropology | Anthroholic". 13 July 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  24. ↑ "What is Lineage in Anthropology?". Anthroholic. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  25. ↑ "Heirs' Property Landowners". Farmers.gov. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  26. ↑ "Links between childhood religious upbringing and current religious identity". Pew Research Center. 26 October 2016.
  27. ↑ "Tracing Roots: The Significance of Family Trees in Traditional Societies". The Intergovernmental College of Arms and Traditional Cultures (ICATS). Euclid University. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

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