A clan is a group of people united by kinship and descent, which is defined by perceived descent from a common ancestor. Even if actual lineage patterns are unknown, clan members nonetheless recognize a founding member or apical ancestor. As kinship based bonds can be merely symbolical in nature some clans share a "stipulated" common ancestor, which is a symbol of the clan's unity. When this ancestor is not human, this is referred to as animallian totem. Generally speaking, kinship differs from biological relation, as it also involves adoption, marriage, and fictive genealogical ties. Clans can be most easily described as sub-groups of tribes and usually constitute groups of 7000 to 10 000 people.

Some clans are patrilineal, meaning its members are related through the male line; for example, the clans of Armenia. Others are matrilineal; its members are related through the female line. Still other clans are bilateral, consisting of all the descendants of the apical ancestor through both the male and female lines; the clans of Scotland are one example. Whether a clan is patrilineal, matrilineal, or bilateral depends on the kinship rules and norms of their society.

In different cultures and situations a clan may mean the same thing as other kin-based groups such as tribes and bands. Often, the distinguishing factor is that a clan is a smaller part of a larger society such as a tribe, a chiefdom, or a state. Examples include Irish, Scottish, Chinese, and Japanese clans, which exist as kin groups within their respective nations. Note, however, that tribes and bands can also be components of larger societies. Arab tribes are small groups within Arab society, and Ojibwa bands are smaller parts of the Ojibwa tribe.

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Lovely time with the @roxlemieux @cjoh clans! Thanks yet again! #cloz
Noreen1 (Noreen1) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:38:05 -0000
Lovely time with the @roxlemieux @cjoh clans! Thanks yet again! #cloz
New xbox live info: Call Of Duty:WAW (COD:5) Matches wanted! - Xbox Live Clans http://bit.ly/35C9lK
MikeeRedd (Michael Redding) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:26:55 -0000
New xbox live info: Call Of Duty:WAW (COD:5) Matches wanted! - Xbox Live Clans http://bit.ly/35C9lK
Several hurt as clans clash in Gaza http://tinyurl.com/yf3up42
defencepk (Pakistan Defence) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:18:14 -0000
Several hurt as clans clash in Gaza http://tinyurl.com/yf3up42
Call Of Duty:WAW (COD:5) Matches wanted! - Xbox Live Clans http://bit.ly/OwBcw
josephberwick (Joseph Berwick) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:20:10 -0000
Call Of Duty:WAW (COD:5) Matches wanted! - Xbox Live Clans http://bit.ly/OwBcw
@jeepersmedia http://twitpic.com/l2ky2 - you americans and your crazy racism lol the clans is scotland don't burn crosses but people do ...
thoriswar (thoriswar) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:30:47 -0000
@jeepersmedia http://twitpic.com/l2ky2 - you americans and your crazy racism lol the clans is scotland don't burn crosses but people do ...
Right now im editing my clans website for Combat Arms, you can see it at http://epictoasty.enjin.com/home
TheReapersTV (Robert Faith) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:23:55 -0000
Right now im editing my clans website for Combat Arms, you can see it at http://epictoasty.enjin.com/home

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