Wikipedia

Lineage (anthropology)

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]

Etymology

edit

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

Characteristics

edit

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

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

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

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Definition of LINEAGE". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  2. ^ "Yinhawangka People". Paraburdoo, Western Australia: Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  3. ^ a b c "Lineage | Family History, Kinship & Descent". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  4. ^ a b c d "The Nature of Kinship: Descent Principles (Part 1)". San Marcos, California: Palomar Community College. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  5. ^ ""Maternal" vs. "Paternal" – What's The Difference?". Choice DNA. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  6. ^ "Clans and Lineages". Between Two Worlds. St. Olaf College. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  7. ^ "Definition of Matrilineage". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  8. ^ Paz RY (2021-09-29). "The Stubborn Subversiveness of Judaism's Matrilineal Principle". Verfassungsblog. doi:10.17176/20210930-004728-0.
  9. ^ "Matrilineal society | Definition, Examples, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannia. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  10. ^ "Definition of Patrilineage". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  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 2024-05-01.
  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. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  16. ^ "The Nature of Kinship: Glossary of Terms". www.palomar.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  17. ^ a b "The Nature of Kinship: Glossary of Terms". www.palomar.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  18. ^ "The Nature of Kinship: Glossary of Terms". www.palomar.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  19. ^ Matresse C. "Reading: Lines of Descent and Family Stages | Sociology". Lumen Learning. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  20. ^ Bell K (2014-12-24). "bilineal descent definition". Open Education Sociology Dictionary.
  21. ^ a b "10.6: Kinship". Social Sci LibreTexts. 2018-04-28. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  22. ^ "Types of Descent: Patrilineal, Matrilineal, and Bilateral Systems". Testbook. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  23. ^ "Meaning of Double Descent in Anthropology | Anthroholic". 2023-07-13. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  24. ^ "What is Lineage in Anthropology?". Anthroholic. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  25. ^ "Heirs' Property Landowners". Farmers.gov. 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  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 2024-04-28.

Further reading

edit
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lineage_(anthropology)&oldid=1247773619"