Question

What is Avunculate kinship usage ?

Hint:

To define Avunculate, you must specify that it involves the \textbf{mother's brother} (maternal uncle) and explain that the relationship is given special social significance.

Answer 1

Avunculate kinship usage refers to a special, culturally defined relationship between a person and their mother's brother (maternal uncle). The term comes from the Latin word 'avunculus', which means maternal uncle.
Characteristics:

In many societies, particularly those with matrilineal descent, the maternal uncle holds a significant position of authority over his sister's children. He may be responsible for their discipline, education, and may even have rights over their property and marriage.

In other societies, the relationship can be one of familiarity, friendship, and indulgence, where the maternal uncle acts as a confidant and supporter to his nephew or niece, in contrast to a more formal relationship with the father.
This special relationship highlights the importance of the mother's lineage and is distinct from the relationship with the father's brother (paternal uncle).