What was distinctive about the Ghana Empire's royal lineage?

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Multiple Choice

What was distinctive about the Ghana Empire's royal lineage?

Explanation:
Matrilineal descent—that is, royal lineage traced through the mother’s side—defines this question. In the Ghana Empire, succession was determined by the mother’s kin rather than the father’s. The heir was typically the king’s sister’s son, so the royal line stayed within the maternal line and the queen mother often held substantial influence over who would wear the throne. This contrasts with patrilineal systems (inheritance through the father’s line), primogeniture (the eldest son inherits regardless of lineage), or bilateral systems (inheritance through both parents).

Matrilineal descent—that is, royal lineage traced through the mother’s side—defines this question. In the Ghana Empire, succession was determined by the mother’s kin rather than the father’s. The heir was typically the king’s sister’s son, so the royal line stayed within the maternal line and the queen mother often held substantial influence over who would wear the throne. This contrasts with patrilineal systems (inheritance through the father’s line), primogeniture (the eldest son inherits regardless of lineage), or bilateral systems (inheritance through both parents).

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