phratry

A phratry is a kinship group that is larger than a clan but smaller than a tribe. It is typically composed of several clans that share common ancestry or are united by religious or social bonds. Phratries were a significant social and political unit in many ancient and indigenous societies around the world. They often played a role in organizing religious ceremonies, settling disputes, and mobilizing for warfare.

The exact composition and function of phratries varied widely across different cultures. In some societies, membership in a phratry was hereditary, passed down through patrilineal or matrilineal lines. In others, it could be acquired through adoption or by joining certain societies. The obligations and privileges associated with phratry membership could include mutual defense, assistance in times of need, and participation in collective rituals.

The concept of a phratry is often contrasted with that of a moiety, which divides a society into two exogamous halves. While moieties are typically based on a binary division, phratries can be more complex, with multiple phratries existing within a larger tribal structure. The study of phratries is important for understanding social organization, kinship systems, and the historical development of human societies. Anthropologists and historians have documented the existence of phratries in societies from ancient Greece and Rome to various Native American and Aboriginal Australian groups.