Lineage organization and ideology

In this chapter, lineage organization and lineage ideology are discussed in detail. In particular I am concerned with the relationship between an ideology that emphasizes lineage solidarity and a socioeconomic system that is based on clear economic inequalities. In Chapter 2 I discussed the early history of the Teng lineage; the present chapter is concerned with the lineage during the twentieth century, although the patterns described are very likely representative of earlier periods as well. The data presented in the following pages are based upon conversations with lineage elders, personal observations, and analyses of the many lineage rituals I attended. Lineage genealogies also provide an important source of information.