Exogamy
Exogamy
Exogamy (/ɛkˈsɒɡəmi/; from Greek exō, "out of", and gamos, "marriage") is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity.
In social science, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects: biological and cultural. Biological exogamy is marriage of nonblood-related beings, regulated by forms of incest law. A form of exogamy is dual exogamy, in which two groups engage in continual wife exchange.
Cultural exogamy is the custom of marrying outside a specified group of people to which a person belongs. Thus, persons may be expected to marry outside their totem clan or other group, in an effort to strengthen social bonds, create alliances, reduce social tensions, or bring together resources.
Etymology
The term "exogamy" originates from the Greek words exō, meaning "out of", and gamos, meaning "marriage". It was first used in this sense by the British anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor in his work, Primitive Culture (1871).
Related Terms
- Endogamy: The practice of marrying within a specific social group, caste, or ethnic group, rejecting others on such a basis.
- Incest taboo: A cultural norm or rule that forbids sexual relations between relatives.
- Kinship: A relationship between any entities that share a genealogical origin, through either biological, cultural, or historical descent.
- Marriage: A culturally recognised union between people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Exogamy
- Wikipedia's article - Exogamy
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