Family as a Social Institution 

In Edo worldview, family (often understood as egbe or lineage-based units) is
more than blood ties. It includes:
1. Living relatives
2. Ancestors
3. Unborn generations

Family continuity is sacred, and each member has duties toward others.
Lineage and Descent
Edo society is largely patrilineal, meaning descent and inheritance flow through
the father’s line. However, maternal relatives still hold strong emotional and
cultural significance.
Core Edo Kinship Categories

Edo kinship terms can be grouped into major categories:
1. Nuclear family
2. Extended family
3. Generational kin
4. Marriage relations
5. Ancestral kin
6. Social kinship