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Chapter Two. The Social Structure and its Units |
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a named patrilineal, exogamous descent group ; ritual |
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A Konyak clan was a named patrilineal and exogamous descent group whose members considered themselves as consanguineous kin, although descent from the presumptive ancestor and founder of the clan could not be traced in detail. The unity of the clan expressed itself in the fact that at sacrifices and most ritual acts one clan elder functioned for all clan members. This ceremonial representation of clan members by one dignitary was limited only in cases of clans extending beyond the limits of one village ward. In such cases the clan members dwelling within any one ward formed the basic ritual unit. |
