Water management and the kinship system: An investigation of the interface between resource management and society in the developing world

Abstract

Patterns of water resource management are affected by the social structures of indigenous societies. The social structures of many indigenous groups, and in particular tribal groups, are kin-based. Water resource development projects which focus on kin-based societies may be affected by the characteristics of a society's kinship system. Three case studies of irrigating tribal societies were analyzed to determine the effects of kinship systems on water management. Results of the analysis indicate that in these societies water management was conducted under the auspices of kinship systems and according to norms consistent with kinship relationships. Each society's kinship system adapted as necessary to the environmental and physical constraints of irrigation. Following major political and water resource development changes, the role of kinship systems tended to decrease, but continued to influence patterns of water resource use.