ABSTRACT

Marriage with manus in ancient Rome was an example of a system whereby a woman at marriage lost many rights in her natal patriline and was largely incorporated into her husband's kin group. The specific power a patrilineal descent group has or the way it functions must be considered for each society separately. Whatever the origin, a pattern of patrilineal descent with patrilocality has persisted in many parts of the globe, surviving even changes in economic and political organization. The real political life of the Nuer was interwoven with their patrilineal kinship structure, organized into lineages and clans. For men, the patrilineal group is literally grounded in residence; these men will inevitably have a lot to do with and be within easy access of one another. Most patrilineal societies in the world are also patrilocal, such that a couple, at marriage, moves in with or near the groom's kin.