Kinship and Descent (Part I)

Overview

The program begins with a brief examination of kinship and descent considerations in the United States, including inheritance patterns, children's names, married names, and important family names in business and government. The main focus of the program is on ways in which other cultures are organized around descent patterns. These include the matrilineal pattern of the Trobriand Islanders and the economic and religious importance of the Mendi clans. Methods of determining descent are illustrated in ethnographic film footage and with the use of interesting graphics.