The kinship system in customary law regulates the position of a person as a member of a relative, the position of the child towards parents and vice versa, as well as the position of the child towards relatives based on blood ties (descent.)
In the structure of indigenous peoples we adhere to three kinds of kinship systems:
- Parental kinship system (bilateral)
- Matrilineal kinship system
- Patrilineal kinship system
Parental (bilateral) kinship system, in this kinship system draws lineages from father and mother. Adherents of this kinship system among Javanese, Madurese, Sundanese, Bugis and Makassarese people. A child will be connected to both parents and relatives of the father-mother bilaterally. The consequence of the parental kinship system is that the same regulations regarding marriage, the obligation to provide a living, respect and inheritance apply. A person will get semenda from marriage, either direct marriage or marriage of relatives. the child connects with both parents and maternal relatives on a bilateral basis. This kinship system applies to the people of Java, Madura, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.
Patrilineal kinship system, in this kinship system draws offspring from only one party, namely the father only. The child will unilaterally connect with the father’s relatives by male lineage. Adherents to this system include the Batak, Balinese, Ambon, Asmat, and Dani people. The consequence of the patrilineal kinship system is that the descendants of the father (male) have a higher position. He also received more rights. children associate themselves with their father (based on male lineage). In a patrilineal society, male descendants are considered to have a higher position and have more rights. This kinship system applies to the Batak and Balinese people.
Matrilineal kinship system, this kinship system draws lineages from the mother’s side only. The child will be connected to the mother, including to the mother’s relatives, based on the unlaterally female lineage. The consequence of this kinship system is that descent from the maternal line is considered very important. In matters of inheritance, for example, people from the maternal line get more shares than the father’s line. This kinship system can be found in the Minangkabau and Semando communities. children associate themselves with their mothers (based on female lineage). In matrilineal society, descent according to the maternal line is considered very important, so that it creates a much more pervasive kinship relationship among its citizens who are descendants according to the maternal line. This kinship system applies to the Minangkabau community.
