A system of branching descent lines from higher to progressively lower genealogical levels.
Comment:In the logical model, the highest-level of lineage consists of all the lineal descendants of the earliest apical ancestor. However lower-level decedents of the apical ancestor may be chosen as apical ancestors for sub-lineages, construed as "segments" of the higher-level lineage. Although differing in number of members, these segments may be seen as "balanced" when they are at the same degree of genealogical remove from the highest level apical ancestor.
In the model, same-level segments from a given apical ancestor are allied with each other against strangers or against segments linked only by a higher-level apical ancestor. Thus in principle my brother [apical ancestor: my father] is my ally against my cousin [apical ancestor my grandfather]. My brother and cousin [apical ancestor my grandfather] are my allies against my second cousin [apical ancestor my great-grandfather]. My brother and cousin and second cousin are my allies against my third cousin [apical ancestor my great-great-grandfather]. And so on.)
This structure, although often more real as a scheme than as a lived reality, arguably promotes peace-making within the lineage, but it also allows the temporary mobilization of immense numbers of people for defense or offense against outsiders. The term has been criticized because some of the segments, although real conceptual entities, are not actually groups, and arguably not actually lineages in a comparative sense.
Definition Revised: 2006-11-01
Script Last Modified: 2025-02-04
Search term: "segmentarylineage" (Debugging)