The Kinship System of Australian Aboriginals

The Kinship System of Australian Aboriginals

The Australian aboriginal culture is one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Aborigines developed a culture based on a hunter gather lifestyle. They see them selves linked to the land on which they live both physically for sustenance and spiritually by the sacred sites of the Dreamtime spirits in their creation stories. In Aboriginal Australia kinship, one of the most complex systems in the world, is the basis of all social interaction. The kinship system of a particular tribe or language unit controls the network of interpersonal relationships in that tribe guiding its members in their interactions with other tribal members. Kinship pervaded every aspect of social organisation and structure. (Hansen, 2010)

They formed into tribe or language groups that occupied a certain territory. The clan or tribe moved within the boundaries of this territory following the supply of food. When one area was becoming depleted they moved to another and let the other area regenerate.

The tribe or clan is the larger group and the tribe is divided sections based on kinship this and their moieties determine how these relationships govern responsibilities, behaviour obligations and marriage.

The tribe can be further split into two groupings called moieties. Within the moiety groups can be subsections or skin groups. On birth the child is given a skin name depending on their mothers or fathers skin group.

In Aboriginal culture, if a member of the tribe marries out of what is dictated by their skin group it is said to be 'wrong skin marriage.' (Wafer, 2010)

There are also responsibilities to be met in dealing with death and burials. There are also avoidance relationships such as with your 'mother in law,' 'son in law' and 'poison cousins. Avoidance means you can not be in ...