Aboriginal Kinship Presentation: Moiety

Summary

The concept of moiety, derived from Latin, divides the universe into two mirrored halves, encompassing people and the environment. In traditional cultures, specific terms represent these halves, such as Dhuwa and Yirritja in Arnhem Land. Kinship is crucial, as children inherit their parent's moiety and can only marry outside of it. Those sharing a moiety are viewed as siblings and have reciprocal obligations to support each other. This system fosters a network of responsibilities, emphasizing that help given must be returned, establishing deep community ties without the need for polite expressions like 'please' or 'thank you.'

Takeaways

• 😀 Moiety is the first level of kinship, derived from the Latin word for 'half,' dividing everything, including people and the environment, into two halves.
• 😀 These two halves are mirror images of each other, representing elements like land, air, water, and geographical features.
• 😀 To understand the whole universe, the two halves must come together.
• 😀 Different nations and languages have their own terms for moiety, such as Dhuwa and Yirritja in Arnhem Land, or Dilbi and Kupathin among the Wiradjuri.
• 😀 Children inherit the moiety of either their mother or their father, and marriage is only allowed between individuals of different moieties.
• 😀 Individuals with the same moiety are considered siblings and have reciprocal responsibilities to support each other.
• 😀 Support must be reciprocated, and obligations may be returned through family members, not necessarily the person who provided the initial support.
• 😀 The kinship system automatically grants accommodation and food from someone whose moiety aligns with yours, but it comes with the obligation to repay them.
• 😀 In traditional languages, there are no words for 'please' or 'thank you,' as reciprocal actions and obligations are assumed and expected, rather than being polite formalities.
• 😀 The moiety system establishes a framework of responsibilities and obligations that individuals must honor, even if repayment comes from a different family member.

Q & A

What is the concept of moiety?

Moiety refers to a system of kinship where everything, including people and the environment, is divided into two halves, each being a mirror image of the other.

What does each half of the moiety represent?

Each half represents different elements such as land, air, water, and geographical features.

How do traditional nations and languages refer to moieties?

Different traditional nations have their own terms for moiety; for example, in Arnhem Land, they are called Dhuwa and Yirritja, while the Wiradjuri refer to them as Dilbi and Kupathin.

How is moiety inherited?

Children inherit their moiety from either their mother or their father.

Why is it important to marry someone with a different moiety?

It is important to marry outside of one's moiety because those with the same moiety are considered siblings, and having children with someone of the same moiety is strictly prohibited.

What kind of support do individuals receive from those sharing their moiety?

Individuals receive a system of support from those sharing their moiety, as they are considered brothers and sisters and are obligated to help each other.

What are the expectations regarding reciprocity in support within moieties?

When support is provided, it is expected to be repaid, establishing a system of obligations among individuals.

What happens when someone accepts help from their moiety?

Once help is accepted, the recipient becomes obligated to repay the support, which may come from the helper or someone in their family.

Why are the terms 'please' and 'thank you' not used in traditional languages?

In traditional languages, terms like 'please' and 'thank you' are absent because support and obligations are assumed and expected within the community.

How does understanding moiety influence social interactions?

Understanding moiety influences social interactions by establishing a framework of mutual support, responsibilities, and community obligations among individuals with shared kinship.