What is an example of a clan?

A clan is fundamentally defined as a group of people who share a common ancestor, often perceived more as a collective entity rather than just a direct familial line. This concept is rooted in kinship and social structure, where individuals within the clan may not all be immediate relatives but are part of a broader family network linked by descent from a shared ancestor. Clans typically include members from various branches of a family tree, fostering connections based on shared lineage, history, and cultural heritage.

This definition differentiates clans from other forms of family organization. For example, while a family raised in a single household or relatives on both maternal and paternal sides may pertain to immediate or extended family, they do not encapsulate the extensive interrelatedness that defines a clan. Similarly, lineage traced through multiple generations focuses on ancestry but does not necessarily highlight the communal identity or social bond that characterizes a clan. Recognizing a clan emphasizes the importance of collective identity and relationships among members who share that important kinship connection.