Migration, External Warfare, and Matrilocal Residence

Abstract

It is suggested that matrilocal (uxorilocal) residence is an adaptive re sponse to the disequilibrium that occurs when a virilocal or patrilocal soci ety migrates into an alrcady inhabited region. The sudden immigration will result in external warfare between the migrating and indigenous so cieties. Most of the world's societics (approximately 70 percent) practice patrilocal residence and are characterized by the presence of fraternal interest groups, which have been shown to be conducive to the frequent feuding and internal warfare that also characterizes these societies. In the face of severe external warfare, the chances of successful adaptation would be increased if these societies could cease their feuding and internal war and instead concentrate all their resources against the other society. Matrilocal residence accomplishes this, because the dishersal of males from their natal villages upon marriage results in the breakup of fraternol interest groups. This theory was tested on a probability sample of forty-three so cieties, using rigorous Narollian techniques and several statistical methods. Test results show that, in contrast to patrilocal societies, matrilocal societies tend to have recently migrated and to practice only external warfare. Com monly held rival theories of matrilocality concerning environment and female predominance in subsistence were also tested and failed to pro duce significant correlations.