The Interaction of Consanguinity and Locality in the Formation and "Ramification" of Kin-Groups in Micronesia

Abstract

Taking several islands, the auther traces the history of such processes as : internal and external migration, the ramification of settelments, and the occupation or repartition of land tracts by kin-groups of various degrees. The author points out that, especially in eastern Micronesia. many of the kin-group names correspond to names of the localities in which the kin-groups live or lived. As far as can be inferred from the field materials, it seems to be certain that many of these group names have been derived from the fact that the members of the group have settled and occupied a certain locality, either an entire island or a tract thereof. In addition, there were found instances in which the same kin-group name was used, sometimes fictitiously, by a group to refer not only to remoter kinsmen beyond the memory of genealogical relationship, but also to those who arrived at different times from the original island. The processes of formation of kin-groups were continually repeated. At the same time, kin-groups would become more ramified. Such "ramages" gradually came to be recognized as independent kin-groups. In many parts of Micronesia it is worthy of notice that the fact of common locality -"of the same place, " "born in the same place"- is emphasized in the ideas of membership in kin-groups.