Mating patterns of the Abbad tribe in Jordan.

This study presents an investigation into the mating structure of the Abbad tribe in Jordan which considers the factors influencing matings and the role of matings in the makeup of the tribe. Data were obtained from household surveys during 1986-89, interviews, documents, and genealogical records. The historical development, structure, size, and geographic location of the tribe are described in detail and illustrated by a structural chart and a map. The empirical analysis depended upon four male samples representative of the different levels of the Abbad's structure. The inbreeding coefficient was calculated for each of the samples, with consanguineous marriages beyond the first-cousin level added as matings within the lineage. A mating matrix was also constructed for three of the samples. While the mating types among the four samples appear to vary, similar tendencies were observed such as the fact that a third of the marriages in each sample were among first cousins, approximately half were within paternal descent lines, and nearly 90% involved mates within the Abbad. As well as relatedness, geographic location was a primary influence of the mating behavior of the Abbad tribe. The probability of any couple to marry decreases the less related they are (starting with first cousins) or the more distant they are in terms of geography or tribal affiliation. In conclusion, the Abbad tribe is shown to be an endogamic population consisting of more or less inbred subunits, and mating patterns are shown to be vital in the constitution of Arab tribes.