WUNRN
Matrilineality is a system in which descent
is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. Matrilineality is also a
societal system in which one belongs to one's matriline or mother's
lineage, which can involve the inheritance of property and/or titles.
Direct Link to Full 18-Page Research
2012 Report:
LAND
& GENDER IN MATRILINEAL TIMOR-LESTE
ABSTRACT
There are few groups’ followers of the matrilineal system in the world but they are present in all continents, except in Europe. In Timor-Leste, the matrilineal organization social system is found among 3 ethno-linguistic groups and seems that, in spite of their resilience, some changes have been taken place in recent years due to some economic, socio and cultural changes.
Two different kinship/social systems coexist in Timor-Leste, one patrilineal in force in the majority of the territory and one matrilineal in the regions with dominance of Búnaque, Tetum-Terik and Galoli ethno-linguistic groups.
The idea behind this paper is to identify those features related to land that have been characterizing the matrilineal system of the Búnaque in Timor-Leste. To achieve its goals, this paper through, secondary and empirical data collected, analyses women’s reality in the Bunaque communities, relating land tenure with the gender roles performed.
VANDA NARCISO1
- PEDRO DAMIÃO DE SOUSA HENRIQUES2 - Universidade de Évora e
CEFAGE
MÁRIO TILMAN3 - Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e
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