Chapter 8: Kinship and Marriage Objectives: Articulate the importance of kinship and marriage in social organization Compare and contrast the various descent systems Understand anthropological approaches to the study of marriage Describe the variety of family systems present in the Bible

Kinship Definition Examples: The ways in which people selectively interpret the common human experiences of reproduction and nurturance Who can marry whom? To whom do children belong? Where should husbands/wives/ children/others live? Who is in my family?

Descent A social rule assigning identity on the basis of ancestry Types: Unilineal patrilineal matrilineal dual Cognatic bilateral ambilineal

Descent Systems unilineal descent systems cognatic descent systems matrilineal descent dual descent patrilineal descent bilateral descent ambilineal descent

Unilineal Descent Patrilineal Descent traced through the male line typically marks distinction of lines in kinship terminology example of patrilineality: ancient Israel not equated with patriarchy

Patrilineal Descent Ancestor

Unilineal Descent Matrilineal Descent traced through the female line not equated with matriarchy authority may remain with male family member (e.g., mother’s brother) inheritance, marital residence, other social expectations generally fall to women Descent traced through the female line

Matrilineal Descent Ancestor

Unilineal Descent Dual Descent least common system of unilineal descent two lines of descent may govern various sorts of inheritance, alliance, and so on Two lines of descent serve different purposes

Cognatic Descent Ambilineal Bilateral Individuals choose a lineage upon reaching adulthood (e.g., marriage) Children seen as equally related to both lineages, though one is eventually chosen as primary Children seen as related to both parents equally Kinship terms may differentiate by generation, gender, and relative age, but do not tend to distinguish between mother’s and father’s kin

Bilateral Descent System EGO Bilateral Kin

Functions of Descent Systems Inheritance Example: Jacob and Esau and the rule of primogeniture (Genesis 27:1–28:9) Distribution of territory Example: Jacob’s twelve sons and the distribution of the clans (or segments) in the book of Joshua Regulation of social conflict Land ownership Political representation Ritual observance Example: Levites described in Num. 3–4 Cognatic systems generally serve fewer functions in society than unilineal systems

Marriage Definition: A publicly recognized social or legal union that creates a socially sanctioned context for sexual intimacy, establishes (in whole or in part) the parentage of children, and creates kinship. produces affinal kin through marriage produces consanguinial kin through birth universal existence of incest taboos (incest is defined differently in different societies)

Cousin Marriage Cross or parallel cousin marriage may be the preferred form of marriage Keeps families together, including inheritance and land Preexisting trust and knowledge makes a good match easier

Parallel Cousin Marriage Cross Cousin Marriage Parallel Cousin Marriage

Marriage and Economic Exchange Bridewealth/service Dowry Involves exchange of goods or services from family of groom to family of bride Symbolizes loss of bride’s labor, companionship, and affection by natal family Creates bonds of indebtedness between families Example: Jacob’s brideservice for his marriages to Leah and Rachel Exchange of goods from bride’s family to groom’s family or to the bride as a gift to bring into the marriage Reflects the ideal of the groom’s family taking on the financial responsibility to support the bride

Plural Marriage/Polygamy Polygyny Polyandry Union of one man to two or more women in marriage Provides for larger households, more labor, and larger lineages Can serve to create multiple alliances Union of one woman to two or more men in marriage More rare Typically involves brothers marrying one woman

Family in the Bible Multiple family forms depicted in Scripture polygyny cousin marriage adoptive fictive kin Emphasis on kinship behavior rather than on kinship systems and rules