What is the term for a kinship system which involves only two clans or groups?

Study for the Dantes General Anthropology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your assessment!

The term for a kinship system that involves only two clans or groups is "moiety." In anthropological terms, moieties refer to a division of society into two distinct groups that often function in a complementary manner, such as in marriage exchanges or social responsibilities. Each moiety typically has specific roles, obligations, or rights within the larger cultural framework.

This concept often arises in societies where social organization is marked by dualism, allowing the two moieties to interact in various cultural, economic, and political ways. This distinction is crucial for understanding the social structure and relationships within these societies.

On the other hand, a phratry refers to a larger kinship grouping that consists of multiple clans, meaning it encompasses more than just two groups. A clan is typically a smaller subset within a phratry and can include many family units sharing a common ancestor. A tribe generally functions at a broader social level, encompassing multiple clans and possibly different phratries, thus representing an even larger composite group than what moieties define.

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