Matrilineal Clan

one of the socioeconomic units of primitive society. It is an exogamic group of blood kin related through the maternal line that recognizes its unity, as reflected in clan names, totemism, and descriptions of the matrilineal clan as “those from one womb” or “one bone.” The matrilineal clan exists among many tribes and peoples at different stages of preclass society, including some Australian aborigines, Melanesians, and Amerindians.