Talk:Noongar kin systems

Comments
Drew

Regarding Noongar classifications, a fine map of differences between Noongar groups is in the "Western Australia Atlas of Human Endeavour: 1829-1979"

Basically it divides Noongar classiciation systems into four types:

"Perth" type
 * Matrilineal moieties and matrilineal clains
 * Includes Amangu, Yued, Wadjuk, Pinjareb, Wilmen, Ganeang, and Wardandi.

These groups were split between the (White Cockatoo) Manitjmat and (Australian Raven) Wardungmat moieties with the moietie determined by one's mother.

"Bibelmen" type
 * Patrileanl moieties and patrilineal local descent groups
 * Includes Bibelmen and Mineng

These groups used the same Manitjmat and Wardunmat moieties but descent here was determined patrilineally.

"Nyakinyaki" type
 * They had alternate generation levels similar to the Western Desert types, woth patrilineal local descent groups
 * Includes Balardong and Nyakinyaki

These groups used (Beeeater) Birranga and (Sacred Kingfisher) Djuak as the "skin" groups.

"Wudjari" Type
 * Like the Nyakinyaki, but they had named patrilineal "totemic" descent units.
 * Includes Goreng and Wudjari

local descent groups are generally patrilineal in type, in which members are linked by both descent and through mythological ties to a named ancestor. Local descent groups are always exogamous, and are associated with specific territories held collectively in trust in perpetuity.

totemic descent groups are similar although the mythical significance of the species after whom the descent group is namesd is much stronger, and figures much more significantly in the myths of the people involved. Members in this case may not be genealogically related, and these groups are almost always exogamous.
 * in patrilineal totemic descent clans: territory is always important
 * in matrilineal totemic descent groups: territory is less important as women frequently shift from their matrilieal areas.

"moieties" classify everyone in the world into two mutually exclusive categories, which are always exogamous. Moieties may be either patrilineal or matrilineal (determined by the moiety of the father or the mother).

alternate generation levels classify a person in the same generation level with grandparents and grandchildren. Parents and children would also share the same generation level. In alternate generation levels, marriage is endogamous.

"sectional" systems (often called skin) are usually where a person belongs to one of four named groups always from birth (although "skin' may be confirred to outsiders as adults). These groups are always exogamous.

I have attached these notes and the reference to your section on Noongar classification

Regards

John John D. Croft 10:21, 28 January 2006 (UTC)