Question

How does the theory of cultural materialism help explain the Awlad' Ali Bedouin marriage and kinship system, as discussed in the lecture? Why does the kinship system support the infrastructure? How does the super structure (belief system) support the kinship system?

Answer 1

The theory of culture materialism helps in analyzing different human societies and incorporates the ideologies of Marxism along with different set of cultural evolution. As per the cultural materialism, it means that culture of a person is highly impacted by the physical surrounding, world and hence it defines human behavior. The cultural materialism explains the marriage of Awlad Ali Bedouin and whole of the kinship system because in such system, polygamy is allowed. It explains the kinship system as it is allowed to marry within the family meaning cousins are allowed to marry each other. The kinship system is a whole system where people establish social relations within a particular culture that are related to each other. The theory defines the kinship system as the Bedouins believe that by such marriage, the culture and people are not impacted by the physical surrounding and different culture. In their kinship system, an ideal marriage is when a son marries his cousin or vice versa. This starts with a man marrying his uncle’s daughter followed by subsequent marriages with other woman. The Awlad Ali paternal line is strong as the kids stay with the father no matter what.

The kinship system where there are marriages between cousin support the infrastructure of the social structure or infrastructure because it helps in enhancing their lines as well as keep their culture close and intact. The infrastructure of culture and beliefs is based on keeping the Bedouin close knit. The infrastructure is basically the strategy adopted for better survival in the environment.

The superstructure majorly involves different types of cultures, social values, myth, religions etc. and this supports kinship system. this is because according to the belief, with kinship and marriages of such kind, it helps in maintaining the culture and values intact and there is no infiltration of any external influence.