Authority of Elder women
Authority of Elder Women
In Ts’msyen law, **Elder women hold foundational authority**. Their authority arises from **matrilineal descent**, **custodianship of continuity**, and **guardianship of balance** within houses (*wilp*), clans (*pdeex*), and territories.
This authority is not symbolic. It is legal, practical, and enduring.
Source of Authority
The authority of Elder women flows from ayaawx and is grounded in:
- matrilineal descent and continuity
- stewardship of names, crests, and adaawx
- responsibility for succession and adoption
- moral authority earned through conduct and knowledge
Elder women anchor law across generations.
Matrilineal Foundations
Ts’msyen society is traditionally matrilineal.
As a result:
- children belong to the mother’s wilp
- clan identity is carried through women
- succession and adoption depend on maternal consent and guidance
- continuity of law is protected through women’s lines
Without Elder women, lawful succession cannot occur.
Authority Within the Wilp
Within a house, Elder women:
- guide decisions on name-bearing and succession
- assess readiness and character of potential leaders
- safeguard adaawx and house memory
- correct conduct within the house
- protect vulnerable members
House authority exercised without Elder women lacks legitimacy.
Role in Succession and Names
Elder women play a decisive role in:
- identifying successors
- determining appropriate timing for name transfers
- ensuring successors understand obligations
- intervening when names are misused
Their consent strengthens legitimacy; their objection signals imbalance.
Authority in Adoption
Adoption requires Elder women’s involvement.
They:
- assess whether adoption serves lawful purpose
- ensure obligations are understood and accepted
- protect clan balance and marriage law
- confirm continuity rather than convenience
Adoption without Elder women’s guidance weakens law.
Elders in Feast Governance
During feasts, Elder women:
- witness name transfers and adoptions
- recall precedent and obligations
- guide correction and compensation
- stabilize proceedings during dispute
Their presence carries legal and moral weight.
Relationship to Hereditary Name Holders
Elder women and hereditary name holders exercise **complementary authority**.
- Name holders act publicly and represent the wilp.
- Elder women ensure actions align with law, memory, and future needs.
A name holder who disregards Elder women risks acting unlawfully.
Territorial and Inter-House Authority
Elder women’s authority extends across:
- houses
- clans
- communities
- inter-house relations
They maintain continuity where people move, marry, or relocate.
Limits and Accountability
Elder women’s authority is not arbitrary.
It is constrained by:
- ayaawx
- public witnessing
- clan law
- responsibility to future generations
Authority is maintained through service, not command.
Living Law
The authority of Elder women is living law.
It persists through:
- teaching and mentorship
- succession guidance
- correction after failure
- protection of continuity
Where Elder women are respected, Ts’msyen law remains balanced and strong.