Question

Among the Toda of South India, property is inherited patrilineally and ritualistic privileges are inherited matrilineally. This is an example of _________.

• A. Unilateral descent
• B. Matrilineal descent
• C. Pragmatic descent
• D. Bilateral descent

Hint:

In bilateral descent systems, kinship and inheritance are traced through both parents.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding bilateral descent.
Bilateral descent refers to a system in which kinship is traced through both the maternal and paternal lines. In this case, property is inherited from the paternal side (patrilineally), while ritualistic privileges are inherited from the maternal side (matrilineally). This pattern of inheritance is an example of bilateral descent.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) Incorrect, unilateral descent refers to kinship being traced through only one side of the family (either maternal or paternal), not both.
- (B) Incorrect, matrilineal descent refers to inheritance and kinship being traced through the mother’s side only.
- (C) Incorrect, pragmatic descent is not a recognized form of descent.
- (D) Correct, bilateral descent involves the inheritance of different aspects of kinship from both the maternal and paternal sides.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) Bilateral descent.