matriliny
Lineage through mothers
Matriliny is a system of tracing ancestry and inheritance through the mother's line rather than the father's.
In matrilineal societies, children belong to their mother's clan, and property or titles pass from mothers to daughters or from maternal uncles to nephews.
The Akan people of Ghana practice matriliny.
The adjective is matrilineal.
Downward slope or lineage
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
forebears · progenitors · ancestors · heritage · roots · predecessors · pedigree · origin
Women governing family lineages
- womenFemale adults collectively
- sisterhoodBond among women
- motherhouseOrder's principal convent
- householdDomestic unit of residents
Family members collectively
- relativesThose connected by blood
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- grandmotherMother of a parent
- maternal uncleMother's brother specifically
siblings · cousins · nephews · nieces · moiety · exogamy · classificatory
Following in order
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- bequestGift left by will
- legacyWhat's passed down
- estateProperty and grounds
beneficiary · dower · endowment · land rights · property transfer · dowry · heir · transmit
descent
Downward slope or lineage
clan · forebears · progenitors · ancestors · heritage · roots · predecessors · pedigree · origin · dynasty
clan mothers
Women governing family lineages
- womenFemale adults collectively
- sisterhoodBond among women
- motherhouseOrder's principal convent
kinfolk
Family members collectively
- relativesThose connected by blood
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- grandmotherMother of a parent
maternal uncle · siblings · cousins · nephews · nieces · moiety · exogamy · classificatory
succession
Following in order
estate · beneficiary · dower · endowment · land rights · property transfer · dowry · heir · transmit · entailment