matriarchieswhere
Matriarchieswhere is not a standard term in anthropology or related fields. This article uses the phrase as a placeholder to discuss matriarchies and related social systems—matrilineal, matrifocal, and matrilocal patterns—where women may play prominent roles in kinship and household life, and how these systems function in various societies.
Matriarchy is a contested concept. In strict terms, it would imply women hold primary political and social
Illustrative examples of matrilineal or highly influential female-centered patterns include:
- The Mosuo of China, who practice matriliny and matrifocal household arrangements, with women controlling family property
- The Minangkabau of West Sumatra, Indonesia, recognized as one of the world’s largest matrilineal societies. Property
- The Khasi and Garo of Meghalaya, India, are matrilineal communities where inheritance passes through daughters, and
In many regions, women exercise substantial authority within family structures without assuming exclusive political rule. Consequently,