South India and North India have quite varied kinship systems from one another.
Some of the major variations include:
- Terminology: In North and South India, distinct terms are used to refer to family members. For instance, in South India, the name “periyappa” is used, whereas in North India, the term “chacha” is used to refer to a paternal uncle. Similar to how “bhabhi” is used in North India to describe a sister-in-law (brother’s wife), “annayya” is used in South India.
- Marriage: North and South India have diverse customs around marriage. Arranged weddings are more frequent in North India whereas love marriages are more widespread in South India. While it is less frequent in South India, dowry is also a common practise in North India.
- Family Structure: The North and South of India have various family systems. The joint family arrangement, in which multiple generations of a family reside in a single home, is more prevalent in North India. The nuclear family system, in which only the immediate family lives together, is more common in South India.
- Lineage: There are differences between the lineage systems in North and South India. The patrilineal system, in which descent and inheritance are traced through the male line, is more common in North India. The matrilineal system, in which descent and inheritance are traced through the female line, is more prevalent in South India.
- Rituals and customs: In North and South India, there are various customs and rituals associated with birth, marriage, and death. For instance, the naming ritual for a newborn infant is called “naamkaran” in North India and “naming ceremony” or “choroonu” in South India.
In general, the South Indian kinship structure is more matriarchal than the North Indian one, which is more patriarchal. There may be changes within each region, based on the particular community and cultural practises, therefore these differences are not absolute.