essay

Nayar: central Kerala

matrilineal kinshipBerkeley • Published In 1961 • Pages: 298-384, 742-746

By: Gough, Kathleen.

Abstract
This work on the Nayar caste of central Kerala presents an analysis of kinship and matrilineal descent, coupled with an account of Nayar political structure. A brief introduction dealing with the ecology and cultural history of the area is followed by a discussion of the various caste groups of central Kerala, its economic system, warfare and law, Nayar clan organization, lineages and property groups, interpersonal kinship relations (e.g. woman-son, father-daughter), marriage, prerequisites of the kinship system of commoners, kinship in the aristocratic matrilineal castes, a list of kinship terms, and changes in Nayar social organization. Primary emphasis is on a description of the lineage system and its function in society.
Subjects
Castes
Rule of descent
Lineages
Kin relationships
Kinship terminology
Settlement patterns
Tillage
Cereal agriculture
Real property
Community structure
Community councils
External relations
Taxation and public income
Warfare
Form and rules of government
Military organization
Household
Polygamy
Family relationships
Basis of marriage
Regulation of marriage
Special unions and marriages
culture
Kerala
HRAF PubDate
2017
Region
Asia
Sub Region
South Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle; 1964-1968
Field Date
1947-1949
Coverage Date
1342-1949
Coverage Place
central Kerala, India
Notes
Kathleen Gough
Includes bibliographical references (p. 742-746)
LCCN
61007523
LCSH
Kerala (India)