Question

Arrange the following kinship group in sequence from the smallest one to the largest.
• [A.] Tribe
• [B.] Clan
• [C.] Phratry
• [D.] Moiety
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. B-D-C-A
• B. B-A-C-D
• C. B-C-D-A
• D. B-C-A-D

Hint:

Kinship hierarchy: Clan < Phratry < Moiety < Tribe. A tribe is the broadest socio-political organization among these groups.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Kinship groups are social units formed on the basis of common ancestry, descent, and social relationships. These groups vary in size and organizational complexity:
• Clan,
• Phratry,
• Moiety,
• Tribe. To arrange them correctly, we must understand their hierarchical organization.

Step 1: Understanding Clan. A Clan is:
• A unilineal descent group,
• Members believe in common ancestry,
• Smaller kinship unit. It is the smallest among the given options. Therefore: \[ B = \text{Smallest} \]

Step 2: Understanding Phratry. A Phratry is: \[ \text{A group of related clans} \] Thus:
• It is larger than a clan,
• It combines several clans together. Hence: \[ C = \text{After Clan} \]

Step 3: Understanding Moiety. A Moiety refers to: \[ \text{One of two major divisions of a society} \] Each moiety may contain:
• Several phratries,
• Multiple clans. Thus: \[ D = \text{Larger than Phratry} \]

Step 4: Understanding Tribe. A Tribe is the largest socio-political unit among the given options. A tribe may include:
• Multiple moieties,
• Phratries,
• Clans,
• Families. Hence: \[ A = \text{Largest} \]

Step 5: Arranging the sequence from smallest to largest. The correct order becomes: \[ \text{Clan} \rightarrow \text{Phratry} \rightarrow \text{Moiety} \rightarrow \text{Tribe} \] Thus: \[ B \rightarrow C \rightarrow D \rightarrow A \] Hence, the correct answer becomes: \[ \boxed{\text{(C) B-C-D-A}} \]