Chapter 8 Kinship and Marriage Objectives l l

Chapter 8: Kinship and Marriage Objectives: l l 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 that assigns identity to a person on the basis of ancestry. Types: l Unilineal matrilineal ¡ patrilineal ¡ dual ¡ l Cognatic bilateral ¡ ambilineal ¡

Descent Systems Unilineal Descent Systems Matrilineal Descent Dual Descent Patrilineal Descent Cognatic Descent Systems Bilateral Descent Ambilineal Descent

Unilineal Descent Patrilineal: ¡ ¡ ¡ Descent traced through the male line Most unilineal societies are patrilineal. Example of patrilineality: the Hebrews of the Old Testament. Not equated with patriarchy.

Patrilineal Descent Ancestor Female Marriage Line of descent Members of patriline/matriline Not members of patriline/matriline

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

Matrilineal Descent Ancestor

Unilineal Descent Dual Descent ¡ ¡ Two lines of descent serve different purposes Least common system of unilineal descent. Two lines of descent may involve different rules of inheritance.

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

Ego (Self)-Centric Bilateral Descent System EGO Bilateral Kin

Functions of Descent Systems Most important areas: 1. Inheritance l 2. Territory l 3. Example: Jacob and Esau and the rule of primogeniture (Genesis 27: 1– 28: 9) Example: Jacob’s twelve sons and the distribution of the clans (or segments) in the book of Joshua Conflict Resolution Others areas: ¡ Land ownership ¡ Political representation ¡ Ritual observance l ¡ Example: Levites described in Num. 3– 4 Cognatic structures often serve fewer roles 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 consanguineal kin through birth. Universal existence of incest taboos (beyond that, rules for marriage avoidance and preference vary a great deal).

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

Cross Cousin Marriage Parallel Cousin Marriage Preferred marriage partners

Marriage and Economic Exchange Bridewealth/service ¡ Involves exchange of goods or services from family of groom to family of bride. l l Represents the loss to the natal family of the bride’s service, employment, companionship, offspring, and other resources. Creates bonds of indebtedness and trust between families. ¡ Example: Jacob’s brideservice for his marriages to Leah and Rachel. Dowry ¡ ¡ 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 view that groom’s family is taking on the financial responsibility of supporting the bride.

Plural Marriage/Polygamy Polygyny ¡ ¡ The marriage of one man to two or more wives. Provides for larger households, more labor, and larger lineages. Can serve to create multiple alliances. Multiple marriages can represent wealth or bring prestige. Polyandry ¡ ¡ ¡ The marriage of one woman to two or more husbands. More rare. Most well-known example involves brothers marrying one woman.

Family in the Bible ¡ Multiple family forms depicted in Scripture l l ¡ polygyny cousin marriage fictive kin patrilineality Emphasis on kinship behavior rather than on kinship structure or rules.

Discussion Questions 1. Why is kinship a cultural universal? What social needs are met through kinship? 2. How does your family reckon descent? Use anthropological terms to describe how your family views descent patterns. How can you see this social pattern reflected in family photographs or family trees (or other pictorial representations of family)?

Discussion Questions (continued) 3. Review the “Family in the Bible” section. What are some guiding principles for how Christians today can apply scriptural insights to their lives? What are some guidelines for taking cultural difference (between biblical cultures and a contemporary society) into consideration?