Eskimo kinship

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Eskimo kinship (also referred to as Lineal kinship) is a concept of kinship used to define family in anthropology. Identified by Lewis Henry Morgan in his 1871 work Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human Family, the Eskimo system was one of six major kinship systems (Eskimo, Hawaiian, Iroquois, Crow, Omaha, and Sudanese). Morgan's system of classification is considered obsolete in current mainstream anthropology.

1 Kinship system
2 Occurrence
3 Kinship chart
- 3.1 Chart
4 Terminology
5 References
6 See also
7 Sources & external links

[edit] Kinship system

The Eskimo system places no distinction between patrilineal and matrilineal relatives, instead focusing on differences in kinship distance (the closer the relative is, the more distinguished). The system also emphasizes the nuclear family, identifying directly only the mother, father, brother, and sister (lineal relatives). All other relatives are grouped together into categories. It uses both classificatory and descriptive terms, differentiating between gender, generation, lineal relatives (relatives in the direct line of descent), and collateral relatives (blood relatives not in the direct line of descent).

Parental siblings are distinguished only by their sex (Aunt, Uncle). All children of these individuals are lumped together regardless of sex (Cousins). Unlike the Hawaiian system, Ego's parents are clearly distinguished from their siblings.

[edit] Occurrence

The Eskimo system is comparatively rare among the world's kinship systems and is at present used in most Western societies (such as those of modern-day Europe or North America). A small number of food-foraging peoples also use it (such as the !Kung tribe of Africa).

The system is largely used in bilineal societies where the dominant relatives are the immediate family. In most Western societies, the nuclear family represents an independent social and economic group, further emphasizing the immediate kinship. The tendency in Western societies to live apart and interact with extended family only on a ceremonial basis also reinforces this.

[edit] Kinship chart

Recently, a kinship chart has been proposed that takes into account which relative belongs to the older generation. The terms in this chart are already in common usage. ^[1]

[edit] Chart

The closest relationship prevails (nearest common ancestor)

If one person's →		Parent*	Grandparent	Great grandparent	Great great grandparent	Great great great grandparent
is the other person's ↓	then that other person is his/her ↘	Parent*	Grandparent	Great grandparent	Great great grandparent	Great great great grandparent
Parent*		Brother/Sister	Uncle/Aunt	Grand uncle/aunt	Great grand uncle/aunt	Great great grand uncle/aunt
Grandparent		Nephew/Niece	Cousin	Second uncle/aunt	Second grand uncle/aunt	Second great grand uncle/aunt
Great grandparent		Grand nephew/niece	Second nephew/niece	Second cousin	Third uncle/aunt	Third grand uncle/aunt
Great great grandparent		Great grand nephew/niece	Second grand nephew/niece	Third nephew/niece	Third cousin	Fourth uncle/aunt
Great great great grandparent		Great great grand nephew/niece	Second great grand nephew/niece	Third grand nephew/niece	Fourth nephew/niece	Fourth cousin

In the Parent row there is also the possibility of having a direct ancestor, e.g. father/mother, grandfather/mother, great grandfather/mother, etc.
In the Parent column there is also the possibility of having a direct descendant, e.g. son/daughter, grandson/daughter, great grandson/daughter, etc.

[edit] Terminology

Eskimo is the accepted term used by Alaska Natives today. Iñupiaq speakers (Iñupiat) are in the Arctic region of northern and northwestern Alaska. Yup'ik speakers (Yup'iit) are in the western and southwestern, sub-Arctic portion of Alaska.