Mazahua - Kinship



Kin Groups and Descent. Mazahua group association is by place of birth, community membership, and right to land. Descent is through the paternal line, although kinship is recognized bilaterally to the third degree. Another form of social relationship not necessarily based on consanguinity is compadrazgo (ritual coparenthood).

Kinship Terminology. Native kinship terms have not been retained; Spanish terms for father, mother, son and daughter, sibling, grandparent, cousin, and aunt and uncle are used. Incest prohibitions proscribe marriage with anyone sharing common descent—Mazhua cannot marry either parallel or matrilateral cross cousins, or the children of the father's compadres, who are considered to be in the same category as Ego's grandparents or father's siblings.


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