McLemban (1970) introduced in “primitive m’age” introduced term endogamy & exogamy. In it he also opposed L.H Morgan’s scheme of linking type of m’age to evolutionary stages.
Meaning – prohibition of m’age union within Specific group i.e refers to the expectation that a marriage partner will be chosen from the social group of which one is not a member.
Examples
- eg- Todas → clan exogamy. Oraons (chotanagpur) → village exogamy.
Origin of exogamy or Advantage
- often theorised developed as extension of incest taboo, covering various relatives
- McLennan (1970)– scarcity of women -obliged man to seek woman outside their clans
- Taylor (1889) → Political alliance for maintaining peace with other bands. (Cooperation theory)
- Frazer “Totemism & Exogamy” (1910)
- Assam & Africa → chief of exogamous tribes → marries within tribe but if pretty women → then outside
- Audrey Richards : hunter & gatherers → constant food scarsity → female infenticide lack → bring outside woman
- May be intended to prevent the harmful health effects of inbreeding.
- Herbert Risley – the desire to have a variety in life has influenced people to seek ties with strangers & this had led to exogamy.
Types – Vary from society to society.
- Biological exogamy –
- Relatively less genetically related partners. ie. Outbreeding
- Benefits – avoid defective genes & genetic diversty
- Socio cultural exogamy –
- specific clan, totem, class etc.
- Levi Strauss → Alliance theory → build alliance
- restricted exchange
- Malinowski → Role theory → To avoid confusion & Conflict over role & prevent social order.
