article
Ambilinial descent groups in the northern Gilbert Islands
American anthropologist • 68 (3) • Published In 1966 • Pages: 641-664
By: Lambert, Bernd.
Abstract
Traditional Kiribati and culturally-related Polynesian societies were organized into ambilineal descent groups comprised of all persons who could trace descent, alternatively through male or female links, to the group’s founder and who inherited rights to part of that ancestor’s land. In principle, this system allowed individuals to claim membership in several kinship-based groups (ramages). In practice, however, a person's rights and obligations were largely limited to the group where they maintained residence. The author discusses the centrality of this distinction between structural principles and actual methods of limiting group membership for understanding the dynamics of Kiribati descent groups.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2018
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Micronesia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem ; 2016
- Field Date
- 1959-1961
- Coverage Date
- 1922-1961
- Coverage Place
- Makin and Butaritari, Northern Kiribati Islands, Republic of Kiribati
- Notes
- Bernd Lambert
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 663-664)
- LCCN
- 17015424
- LCSH
- Kiribati