A group consisting of three or more kinship groups that are treated as a single unit is known as what?

The term that describes a group consisting of three or more kinship groups treated as a single unit is known as a phratry. A phratry is part of a larger social organization and is often composed of multiple clans or lineages, which share common ancestry or cultural traits. This organizational structure serves to group together smaller kinship units, facilitating social interactions and alliances within the broader community.

Understanding this concept is important in anthropology as it highlights how societies can organize themselves beyond the nuclear or extended family structures. Social configurations like phratries can reflect deeper cultural values and practices, such as collaboration, kinship ties, and shared responsibilities among different groups.