Nambicuara - Kinship, Marriage, and Family

Kin Groups and Descent. Descent is matrilineal, and the traditional kinship terminology is of the bifurcate-merging type.

Marriage. Marriage between cross cousins is preferred, although marriage between a father's brother and brother's daughter is common. Most marriages are monogamous, but a chief may take two or three wives, depending on the size of the band. Postmarital residence is virilocal; however, upon reaching puberty, girls return to their mother's band.