Matrilinjärt

Matrilinjärt is a term used in anthropology and sociology to describe a social system or kinship structure where descent, property, and titles are traced through the female line. This means that an individual's lineage is determined by their mother, and her mother, and so on, rather than through their father as in patrilineal systems. In matrilinear societies, women often hold significant social, economic, and political power.

Key characteristics of matrilinear systems include the inheritance of wealth and status from mother to daughter. The maternal uncle (the mother's brother) may also play a crucial role in the family, sometimes holding more authority than the father in matters concerning the children's upbringing and social standing. Residence patterns in matrilinear societies can also vary, but often involve the husband moving to live with his wife's family.

Examples of societies that have historically exhibited matrilinear traits can be found across various cultures, including certain indigenous groups in North America, Africa, and Asia. It is important to distinguish matriliny from matrilineal residence, where couples live with the wife's family, though the two often occur together. The presence and extent of female authority in matrilinear systems can vary greatly, and it does not necessarily imply complete female dominance. It signifies a specific way of organizing social relationships and transmitting social and material capital across generations.