Lesu - Kinship



Kin Groups and Descent. Lesu society is divided into two exogamous moieties, the Hawk (Telenga) and the Eagle (Kongkong) moieties. Each moiety is composed of a number of matrilineal clans, with each clan associated with totemic animals and parcels of land or sections of sea. Moieties maintain reciprocal ritual obligations regarding pregnancy, birth, first menstruation, circumcision, marriage, and death. Clans are the basic economic unit and clan members are expected to cooperate in all major projects. However, individuals are often conflicted over loyalties to the clan versus those to their residential family. While the inheritance of status strictly follows the matrilineal line, the rules governing the inheritance of property are less rigid, though items generally go from a man to his sister's son.

Kinship Terminology. Kin terms follow the Iroquois system.

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