Definition of "matriclan" []

• A clan, with membership determined by matrilineal descent from a common ancestor. (noun)

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• "Originally, it appears, * - kolo named the matriclan along the mother's line, but only in the Ruvu subgroup of languages did it retain this narrow meaning over the long run of history."
• "In the sense of a grouping of matriclans, this root occurs outside of West Ruvu and Kagulu in Ngulu kungugo "matriclan" and Lugulu * ikungugo."
• "What this intimates is that they were distinguishing themselves by their particular * ikungugo, which both records clearly suggest were inherited affiliations linked to one's matriclan."