What is a matrilineal culture?

Question

What is a matrilineal culture?

Answer 1

Many native american cultures are matrilineal.  It means that they track their lineage from the mother's side of the family as the priority and for membership or includsion.  For instance, our nation is matriarchial.  This means that whatever clan my mother is born into, that is the clan I am born into.  My mother could not have married anyone inside her own clan as they would be considered related.  

Other cultures also only allow inheritances from the mother.  All of her female children would inherit her properties and titles first from her side and males second or from the father.  

There are many examples of matriarchial societies and they are very interested when compared to the patriarchial.