Can you identify any existing matriarchal societies or cultural structures?

Question

Can you identify any existing matriarchal societies or cultural structures?

Answer 1

Probably not. Matriarchal societies invariably fail. Some tribes in South America are matriarchal but that depends if you count a few dozen people in the trees as a society/culture.

There are examples in the animal kingdom. Elephants in particular are highly matriarchal.

Judaism perhaps? Jewish-ness is passed down through the maternal line.

EDIT: Eva B - Interesting point. The anthem changes to God Save the KING when appropriate though and probably will sometime in the next couple of decades. Obviously though the Queen of England doesn't have any direct power or control over anything. She's just one of us and an aging German immigrant at that.

Answer 2

is the Monarchy not a matriarchal culture? God save the Queen is the anthem? Females have ruled more than males it seems! Im not sure, but I would call UK matriarcal. At least in this century.

Answer 3

Some Japanese societies are matrilineal. In Japan, both name and status are matrilineal... children take the mother's family name. And Japan's principle deity, Amaterasu Omikami, is female. I wonder whether that makes them matriarchal!!