Descent Group

A descent group is a social unit that traces its origins and inheritance through a specific ancestral line, either through the mother (matrilineal) or the father (patrilineal). It includes individuals who share common ancestors and identify with that shared heritage, often organizing their social, land, or resource rights based on these kinship connections. Descent groups help maintain social order, define roles, and distribute resources within communities, and they are fundamental to understanding kinship, inheritance, and social cohesion in many cultures.