Family+Structure,+kinship+and+marriage

Family Structure, Kinship and Marriage



**__Kin Groups and Descent:__** The Cree are a subarctic band society. The basic unit of family and everyday life consists of a small hunting group or local band which contains one or more extended families and numbering about twenty-five persons. Unity, an important value to the Cree, is based on basic father-son relationships and cooperation among brothers. Bands usually do not stick together for long, this is due to the fact that sons become adults and develop a very highly valued sense of personal autonomy. The leader of the band is commonly the oldest and most active male hunter. Winter bands often disperse to hunt the widely distributed nomadic game. These bands may also separate to trap sedentary fur-bearing animals. The bands were quite frequently named after the best-known lake. Regional bands, the largest and most permanent groups, were named after features of that particular area. The regional band consists of individuals, families, and hunting groups, related by primary ties of consanguinity and affinity. The regional bands are about one hundred to two hundred people (sometimes they can be more). Descent was bilateral, with paternal and maternal relatives equally recognized.

**__Kinship:__** The kinship system is bilateral, however, there is merging terminology in the first ascending Generation. Also, Iroquois cousin terminology can effect one's own generation. Males and females are differentiated on the basis of age and sex.

**__Marriage:__** The marriage system of the Cree is somewhat confusing. Marriages were arranged by parents between opposite-sex cross cousins. Marriage with parallel cousins, especially first cousins, was strictly prohibited; this was because parallel cousins were considered as siblings. Arranged marriages ensured that the son-in-law would be a good hunter and provider. Levirate marriage is a type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obligated to marry his brother's widow, and the widow is obligated to marry her deceased husband's brother. Sororate marriage is a type of marriage in which a husband engages in marriage or sexual relations with the sister of his wife, usually after the death of his wife, or once his wife has proven infertile. Both of these type of marriages are practiced. Sororal polygyny was an indication of the bride's parental approval. Bilateral cross-cousin marriage was intended to establish or maintain cooperative relationships between hunting groups, and the marriage of sibling pairs (two brothers to two sisters, or a brother and sister to a sister and brother) was considered exceptionally good. Sometimes, marriages were arranged with distant groups. A marriage to an important fur trader was very desirable. Following marriage, temporary residence involved bride-service, until the couple had their first child. The groom hunted for his parents-in-law along with performing other services. After the birth of the couple's first child, residence was chosen by the male, or the couple lived where the male's family resided. Divorce in the past was highly informal, but marriages are now performed in Roman Catholic or Anglican churches or by civil authorities and are subject to religious restraints and civil law. Cree married young, because adulthood was not achieved unless one were married.

Property is of minimal importance, and once an individual died it was often abandoned. Survivors did, however, inherited appropriate items, but Canadian law is now applicable in the new village and urban context.
 * __Typical residential unit:__ **extended family, adjacent to another related unit.

Children were raised in an environment where control and discipline were gradually introduced. Mothers are to train their daughters, and for the boys, they are gradually taught hunting and trapping skills by their fathers. A boy usually killed his first big game at about the age of 14, establishing himself as a true hunter. These traditional practices are rapidly disappearing. In recent generations, many Cree children were sent to boarding schools, but now elementary and secondary schools are commonly found on the reserves, and some children even go on to university.
 * __ Socialization: __**

__**References:**__

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Thunderbird, Shannon. "TRIBAL LIFESTYLE, GENDER ROLES, ELDERS." 1991. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. . =====

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"Kinship - Cree, Western Woods." //Countries and Their Cultures//. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. . =====