Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia

by Northcote Whitridge Thomas

"Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia" by Northcote Whitridge Thomas is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book explores the intricate kinship structures and marriage practices among Australian Aboriginal societies, focusing specifically on totem kins, phratries, and the dynamics of group marriage. The text serves as a comprehensive examination intended to deepen understanding of the social fabric of these communities and encourage further research in this area of anthropology. The opening of the work establishes the author's intent to provide an in-depth survey of Australian kinship systems, distinguishing between various forms of social organisation based on birth rather than individual choice. Thomas discusses the persistence of the family system alongside tribal structures and highlights the complexity of kinship definitions, emphasizing the importance of both physiological and sociological factors in understanding these relationships. He outlines the significance of totem kins and the regulatory role they play in marriage prohibitions, setting the stage for a detailed analysis of kinship terms and their implications for social structures in Australia.