avunculate
Sign in to saveAlso known as avunculism, avuncularism
The avunculate, sometimes called avunculism or avuncularism, is any social institution where a special relationship exists between an uncle and his sisters' children. This relationship can be formal or informal, depending on the society. Early anthropological research focused on the association between the avunculate and matrilineal descent, while later research has expanded to consider the avunculate in general society.
~4 min read
Article
8 sectionsContents
- Definition
- Avunculocal societies
- Cultures with a formal avunculate
- Anthropology research
- Avunculate marriage
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
The avunculate, sometimes called avunculism or avuncularism, is any social institution where a special relationship exists between an uncle and his sisters' children. This relationship can be formal or informal, depending on the society. Early anthropological research focused on the association between the avunculate and matrilineal descent, while later research has expanded to consider the avunculate in general society.
==Definition== The term avunculate comes from the Latin avunculus, the maternal uncle.