Jatav - Kinship

Kin Groups and Descent. Kin groups are formed patrilineally. The smallest coresidential unit is the nuclear or extended family ( parivar, ghar ). Extended families are most often composed of parent(s), married sons and their wives, and grandchildren. Otherwise they are composed of married brothers, their wives, and their children. Minimal patrilineages ( kutumb ) of nonresidential brothers and cousins are expected to support one another in conflicts. The maximal lineage ( khandan ) consists of all male descendants of a known or fictive ancestor. The "brotherhood" ( biradari ) consists of all members of the caste ( jati ). All members of the same neighborhood or village are real or fictive kin in an exogamous bhaiband. Descent is formally patrilineal, although the mother's role in procreation is acknowledged.

Kinship Terminology. Hawaiian-type cousin terms are used, while the first ascending generation uses bifurcate-collateral terms reflecting the lower status of girl-giving affinals ( nice rishtedar ) and the higher status of girl-receiving affinals ( unce rishtedar ). Affinals ( rishtedar ) are distinguished from agnates ( natedar ). Kin terms are fictively extended to all in a bhaiband.