article

Fanti kinship: language, inheritance, and kin groups

Anthropos86 (1-3) • Published In 1991 • Pages: 19-31

By: Kronenfeld, David B..

Abstract
This is a sophisticated study of the relationship between inheritance and kinship terminology among the Fanti of Ghana's southern coast. Kronenfeld shows how the adoption of English kin terms coincides with changing property relations and inheritance patterns among the Fanti. Property was transmitted according to seniority and classificatory siblingship within the matrilineage. Today it is largely kept within the nuclear family, which is reflected in the borrowing of English kin terms to distinguish real parents and siblings from the larger field of lineage siblings and parents.
Subjects
Inheritance
Age stratification
Gender status
Kinship terminology
Lineages
culture
Akan
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ;1999
Field Date
Not Specified
Coverage Date
1950-1990
Coverage Place
Ashanti; Egyaa No. 1, Ghana
Notes
David B. Kronenfeld
Includes bibliographical references (p. 31)
LCCN
07021775
LCSH
Akan (African people)