sippe

Sippe is a term with historical roots, particularly in Germanic languages, that refers to a family, kin group, or household. In older contexts, it could encompass not only immediate family members but also extended relatives and even servants living under the same roof. The concept of a sippe often implied a social and economic unit with shared responsibilities and mutual obligations among its members. This could include aspects like inheritance, protection, and even avenging wrongs committed against a member.

The term has seen varying degrees of usage and significance across different historical periods and regions. In some legal and social structures, the sippe played a crucial role in defining kinship ties and social order. While the direct usage of "sippe" in everyday language has diminished in many modern societies, the underlying concept of close familial and kinship bonds continues to be a fundamental aspect of human social organization. The historical understanding of a sippe offers insight into the social structures and community relationships of past eras.