Filiation means social recognized way of assigning membership into descent groups. Descent filiation mean assign an individual into unilineal descent groups such as Lineage , clan etc… on basis of notion on common blood. It may patrilineal descent group or matrilineal descent group which chosen by society.
Complementary filiation was a term introduced by the group of anthropologists of Africa who are often referred to as ‘descent theorists’, foremost of whom was M. Fortes. The phrase referred to the fact that in societies with unilineal descent groups people nonetheless recognize kinship links with relatives who do not belong to their own descent group. Thus, in societies with patrilineal descent groups, individuals have important socially defined links with members of their mother’s family, such as, for example, their mother’s brother or their maternal grandparents, while in matrilineal societies individuals have similar ties to their father’s family.
Originally the concept was used to describe an important ethnographic characteristic of many African societies, such as the Tallensi of Ghana studied by Fortes, and the anthropologists’ theory was little more than a paraphrase of the theory of the people they had studied. Thus Fortes described how Tallensi individuals saw their complementary filiation links as different from their lineage links, yet essential to their well-being (Fortes 1949). While lineage links always have a political and hierarchical character, complementary filiation is more emotional and more personal. This is because all members of a descent group have different ties of complementary filiation from one another, but are undifferentiated on the basis of descent, so that complementary filiation gives an idiom to feelings of individuality and independence. This sociological perspective is, argued Fortes (1961), also reflected in the religious domain. J. Goody (1962), following in the same tradition, stressed the importance of inheritance and showed how, while one inherited a certain type of property and status inside the descent group, one also inherited different types of property and status along the lines of complementary filiation.
In Fortes’s later work the notion of complementary filiation was used to support a much more general claim (Fortes 1953; 1969). Fortes and a number of other anthropologists argued that the existence of groups was, at bottom, always similar and always involved the recognition of the complementary role of the two parents. Thus, in patrilineal societies, while for political, jural and military purposes lineages ignored links through mothers, there nonetheless existed a domestic level where links through women were recognized in the form of complementary filiation.
It is this wider theoretical implication of the theory which came under attack from such writers as Edmund Leach (1961), who argued that in those patrilineal societies which Levi-Strauss would qualify as having an elementary structure, links through the mother were to be seen, not as manifesting a kind of muted kinship but rather as being part of affinal links. Thus in such societies one’s mother was not seen as a ‘mother’ in the European sense, nor her brother as a man linked to her, but both would be seen as members of the group who give sexual partners to your own group. Such a distinction might seem of little importance but in fact hides a fundamental theoretical claim, namely that there is nothing universal or ‘biological’ to human kinship which constrains its representation.
Key Aspects of Complementary Filiation
- Balancing Descent Systems:
- In societies with a strong emphasis on either patrilineal or matrilineal descent, complementary filiation allows for the integration of the other side of the family. For instance, even in a patrilineal system where the father’s lineage is dominant, the maternal relatives (especially the mother’s brothers) may have important roles in the child’s life. This includes roles in socialization, inheritance, and rituals.
- Social Identity and Support Networks:
- Complementary filiation provides individuals with a broader social identity and access to resources and support from both sides of their family. This dual affiliation ensures that a child is not solely dependent on one line of descent for their social identity, inheritance, or support, but can draw on a wider network of kin.
- Ritual and Symbolic Roles:
- Fortes highlighted that in many African societies, rituals often reflect the dual affiliation of individuals. For example, a boy’s initiation might involve the maternal uncle, signifying the importance of the mother’s kin, even though the boy’s primary lineage is patrilineal.
- Conflict Mediation and Social Cohesion:
- The concept of complementary filiation also plays a role in mediating conflicts and maintaining social cohesion. By recognizing the importance of both paternal and maternal kin, societies can mitigate the potential tensions that might arise from strictly adhering to one form of descent. This helps to prevent divisions within the family and larger community.
Case Study: The Tallensi of Northern Ghana
Fortes’ study of the Tallensi provides a clear illustration of complementary filiation:
- Patrilineal Descent: Among the Tallensi, descent is primarily patrilineal. The lineage (termed “tikpiem”) is traced through the male line, and inheritance, as well as social status, flows through the father’s lineage.
- Maternal Influence: Despite the patrilineal emphasis, the mother’s lineage (referred to as “mamnenga”) plays a crucial complementary role. The mother’s brothers, for example, have specific ritual obligations, and their support is essential in various rites of passage. This creates a situation where the child is linked to both lineages, and the dual affiliations are recognized in different social contexts.
- Rituals and Social Functions: Fortes observed that in many Tallensi rituals, the roles played by maternal kin are vital. For instance, during important life cycle events such as marriage, the mother’s kin have obligations and rights that balance the authority of the paternal kin.
Significance of Fortes’ Concept
Fortes’ concept of complementary filiation is significant because it challenges the notion of kinship systems being rigidly defined by either patrilineal or matrilineal descent alone. Instead, it shows that even in strongly unilineal systems, there is a recognition of the other line, ensuring that social relationships are more flexible and inclusive. This concept has been influential in understanding the complexities of kinship systems in various cultures, highlighting how social structures adapt to include multiple influences and maintain social balance.