Abstract
This paper proposes to reanalyze the structure of the hara, or munchu, (patrilineal descent group) widely observed in Okinawa, from the vlewpoint of the female ego. As Is well-known, membership in munchu is transmitted from genitor to children of both sexes. The structure of munchu, therefore, takes the form of a typlcal descent group. However, since munchu membership is transmitted only through genitor, women cannot transmit thelr munchu identity to their offspring. Accordingly, women are excluded from inheritance of property (partlcularly land), home and compound, and gwansu (ancestors in the forms of ancestral tablets and tombs). Traditionally, these three formed an undividable estate which had to be kept intact by generation after generation of first sons. In contrast, dislnherited, women monopollzed spiritual and religious roles. So far, the munchu has been analyzed and described from the viewpolnt of male ego. Female persons appear, but they do so in a framework which is structurally defined by males. My alm In this paper is to Investigate what exactly patrilineality means for a female ego. I analyze Oklnawan women in the munchu system as follows: l) What concrete roles do women play in the descent context? 2) In what capacity do they play rellgious roles? 3) Are there differences between women and men as to status and roles, and if so what, and why? The analysis is based on data collected in 1989 and 1990 in Takara, (population in 1990, 278, In 89 households), Kochinda-cho, Okinawa.
