Anthropology Study on the Present Situation of Matrilineal Unilineal Descent Kinship System in Coastal Village – Panama
- June 12, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Anthropology, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue V, May 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
S.D.Y. Jayarathne*, N. L. K. Sandunika
Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
*Corresponding author
I. INTRODUCTION AND RESEARCH PROBLEM/ HYPOTHESIS
Traditional kinship system in Sri Lanka is an interesting topic of study. There are several types of marriage that are associated with a number of kinship systems that are built around a system of customs unique to Sri Lankan society. Almost all of them are based on early kinship systems and kinship lineages. Cross-kinship, monogamy marriage, “Binna” marriage, and polygamy are some of the forms of marriage recognized in Sri Lankan kinship. (Marguerite S. R. 1968). A large body of research has been done on the Sinhalese kinship system. Through these studies I intend to identify the present status of the Sinhala kinship system through this research. One of unique features, the matrilineal unilineal kinship system in Sri Lanka has been demolished and this research was conducted to study about the current status of this kinship system. (Ganewatta, P. 2006). At the present time, social relations are being eroded by the gradual erosion of kinship, and the kinship systems are being destroyed by the loss of relationships and the forbidden marriage. This research is the study of this situation which has now become a social problem.
II. METHODOLOGY
Panama, the only coastal village in Sri Lanka which is still having this kinship system, situated in Ampara district, Eastern province of Sri Lanka. Majority of the population were Sinhalese but immigrated Tamil and Muslim people too are living here.
Interview method was used for data collection and data collection was conducted using a questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions. Data were collected by participant observation at the homes of the contributors, and the questionnaire was modified to improve the quality of the data when necessary.
In the sample selection, the village’s data contributors were randomly selected, while the other data contributors were selected based on their ability to collect valuable data through the first databases. The research design was descriptive cross sectional study. Total informers were 30 who were selected randomly for focus group discussions.
