Matrilineal

Matrilineal refers to a social system in which inheritance, lineage, and family ties are traced through the mother’s side of the family. In such cultures, children typically take their last name from their mother, and property or titles might be passed down through the female line rather than the male line. This contrasts with patrilineal systems, where lineage is traced through fathers. Matrilineal societies can influence various aspects of life, including the roles of women, family dynamics, and cultural traditions, emphasizing the importance of maternal connections in shaping identity and status within the community.