Greek-Speaking Jews of Greece - Kinship, Marriage, and Family



Kinship. The Jews of Ioannina are historically extended families with a patriarchal authority structure and patrilineal inheritance of surnames. In the past, nicknames were used extensively to distinguish between family members; they frequently supplanted surnames. Kinship is reckoned bilaterally.

Marriage. Traditionally, marriages were arranged through a system of matchmakers. This pattern is still practiced regularly in the late twentieth century, with partners coming from other cities in Greece. Intermarriage with Greek Christians is a common occurrence. Postmarital residence is usually in the home or, more recently, in the city of the husband's family. Today, the couple usually lives alone in a furnished apartment, which is part of the wife's dowry.

Domestic Unit. The domestic unit is often a nuclear Family, although widowed parents will live with the family or in an adjacent apartment. There are two or three children in the average family. Before World War II, marriage between first cousins was a common practice.


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