ABSTRACT
Lugbara society is of course not static. The family cluster changes its internal organization over time, in a cycle of development whose main stages are fairly clearly distinguishable. The underlying structure remains constant, but the size and composition of the clusters vary, and the pattern of internal dissensions and strains also changes over time. The cluster is segmented into joint families, each consisting of men related by lineage, and their wives and children. There may be two or up to ten joint families, depending on whether the family cluster has reached an early or late stage in its cycle of development. This cycle begins and ends wi th segmentation into two or more new family clusters, each new group beginning a cycle of growth that continues unti l i t also eventually segments (of course, a cluster may die out, or be absorbed by another i f i t decreases in population, but this is a secondary pattern).
