A lineage is a descent group whose members trace ancestry back to a common ancestor, usually a real person several generations removed. Unlike a clan, which often claims a mythical founder, a lineage can usually recite its genealogy name by name. That precision matters. It determines who inherits land, who owes bridewealth, and who must be consulted before a marriage.

Lineages are typically unilineal, meaning membership passes through either the mother's or the father's line, not both. Among the Tiv of Nigeria, patrilineal lineages segment into smaller and larger branches that can expand or split as populations grow. A dispute between two households may be settled by elders from their shared lineage. If the conflict widens, a higher-level lineage segment steps in.

Common features

• A demonstrated genealogy, not a mythical one.
• Corporate ownership of land, herds, or ritual rights.
• Internal dispute resolution by senior members.
• The ability to fission into smaller segments.

Lineages are not just family trees. They are legal and political units that hold property, settle quarrels, and organize collective labor.