Kinship systems and cultural identity in Savannah, Georgia

Btsisi & Sav "h Ga Cultures

Comparative Analysis: Btsisi and Savannaha Ga (Sav" h Ga) Cultures

Differences in geographic location of societies gave birth to different cultures and traditions, influenced by the people living in a specific geographic area, and the way of life they have developed over time. One of the salient features of cultural differences is the kind of kinship system established within the culture, which includes the behavior, actions and lifestyle within. In this paper, two cultures will be compared in terms of the kinship system, behavior, actions, and lifestyle established within each culture. The cultures under study are the Btsisi of Selangor, Malaysia, and the author's own cultural/ethnic group, the Savannah Ga (Sav" h Ga).

As a cultural group, the Btsisi traces its heritage from a primarily matriarchal society, wherein villages are led by a woman leader called Batin. The significance of women and the Batin in the village can be attributed to the major role that women play in almost all aspects of Btsisi life: women as caregivers to their children and husbands and keeper of the household. The respect appropriated to Btsisi women is reflected in the village's assignment of the Batin as the village leader. However, this tradition has been discontinued with the death of the last Batin. With this, Btsisi culture has evolved into a dominantly patriarchal society, wherein family names and land ownership are given to the fathers or male members of the family (Ember and Ember, 2003:446).

However, these present-day traditions in Btsisi culture do not indicate that women do not have equal voice and opportunities as men. In fact, relationships in Btsisi communities, especially between husband and wife, adopt an egalitarian structure that is primarily motivated by economic efficiency. Husband and wife share the responsibility in accomplishing household chores so that they can accomplish other tasks that would bring economic gain to the family. While there are tasks specifically given to men and women, it is not unusual for a Btsisi woman to take part in a "male" task just to ensure that her husband would be able to help her finish a "female" task as well (Nowak, 2010:par. 4-6). It was noted, however, that Btsisi families tend to work and help each other among family members only, as outside help would mean sharing the economic benefits that will be gained from the accomplished activity (Nowak, 2000:336). If anything, the Btsisi culture is a group that has a lifestyle reflecting subsistence to practicality and economic efficiency.