Here's a breakdown of what that means:
* Inheritance: Property and titles are passed down from mothers to their daughters.
* Family ties: A person's primary identity and allegiance are to their mother's family, not their father's.
* Social roles: Women often hold significant social and economic power, and may play a prominent role in religious practices.
It's important to note that:
* Matrilineal societies are diverse: Their specific customs and practices vary significantly across cultures.
* Matrilineality doesn't mean female dominance: While women may have more power than in some other societies, it doesn't necessarily equate to women controlling everything.
* Matrilineal systems are not always strict: There can be some recognition of the father's lineage, though the mother's line remains dominant.
Some examples of societies with historical or current matrilineal systems include the Mosuo people of China, the Naxi people of China, the Minangkabau people of Indonesia, and the Akan people of Ghana.