Kinship in Bangladesh

Abstract

Kin terminologies and family structure among Muslims and Hindus are described. The terminologies are described in a logical way through a semantic analysis. The members of significant kindred divisions are identified and their socioeconomic relationship are analysed. The analysis is based on data obtained from personal observations, interviews and census information, covering a population of 263,000 in rural Bangladesh. Certain data are obtained from part or all of the study population. Analysis of the data shows that:

(1) Certain cultural features are shared between Muslims and Hindus while others are not.

(2) The basic social structure is centred around a system of kinship relations.

(3) Kinship is viewed as a set of role expectations, role behaviours, and role perceptions.

(4) Through the use of quasi kin terms, non-related people become closer which leads to cooperation in social and economic matters.

(5) The patrilineal and patrilocal elementary or joint family is the normal type of family unit.

(6) Scandal or grossly irregular behaviour is likely to damage the name of all the blood related families.

(7) Lineage title possess hierarchical social value, although in the selection of a marital partner, economic considerations frequently get priority.

(8) Marriage is almost universal. It is viewed as the continuing of existing families rather than as the creating new families. Nearly all plural marriages are serial monogamy. The marriage generally is consummated without any specific waiting period.

(9) Age at marriage for females shows a continuous upward trend.

(10) Often marriage breakups occur significantly in the initial years of marriage.

(11) In decision making the husband dominates the wife.

(12) A comparison and analysis of the various kinship terms in different Indo-Aryan languages are useful in understanding the persistence of certain kin tpes and terminologies.

(13) The fictive kin relations outside the village relate to gains in social, political, matrimonial and economic matters including the buying and selling of goods and services.