Matrilineala

Matrilineala, also called matrilineality or matrilineal descent, is a kinship and inheritance system in which descent and social affiliation are traced through the female line. In matrilineal societies, individuals belong to their mother’s lineage, and inheritance of property, clan membership, and sometimes titles passes from mothers to their daughters rather than from fathers to sons.

What distinguishes matrilineality is the path of lineage rather than the public role of women. While it often coincides with practices such as matrilocal residence (where a married couple lives near the wife’s family) and strong networks among maternal kin, matrilineality does not automatically imply female political dominance. The distribution of influence varies by society; in many cases elder women or a council of kin-related women oversee lineage matters, while men may occupy other social or ceremonial roles.

Global examples include the Khasi of Meghalaya (India), the Minangkabau of Sumatra (Indonesia), and the Akan of Ghana, all of whom maintain matrilineal lines for descent and inheritance to varying degrees. The Mosuo of China are frequently cited for matrilineal household arrangements, where lineage and residence are organized around the mother’s kin.

In modern contexts, matrilineal practices persist in some communities and can influence debates on property rights and family law, even as many societies become patrilineal or adopt more flexible, mixed systems. Anthropologists study matrilineality to understand how kinship, inheritance, and social organization shape social life.