segmentary societies

Fig. 27 Segmentary societies. At each level, membership of a descent group (A; A/B; A/B/C/D; etc.) defines the basis of allegiance and mutual support(e.g. in feuds).

segmentary societies

forms of STATELESS SOCIETY, whose fundamental mode of social organization is a lineage system in which descent group membership is defined in terms of, sometimes notional, common ancestors (apical ancestor). Such systems, involve a hierarchical structure, which at each level defines expected bases of membership and opposition (see Fig. 27). A classical account of such a system is EVANS-PRITCHARD's (1940) account of the Nuer. However, this account, and the concept of segmentary society in general, has been criticized as presenting only an ‘ideal’ model of social relationships in such societies. see also SEGMENTARY STATES.