[j_m_b]

It's interesting that this society is matriarchal and non-monogamous. Bonobos, our closest animal relatives, are also matriarchal and non-monogamous. Chimps, on the other hand, are patriarchal and live in what are essentially harems. Is patriarchy is associated with monogamy whereas matriarchy is associated with non-monogamy?

[dragonwriter]

> Chimps, on the other hand, are patriarchal and live in what are essentially harems.

So, also non-monogamous.

> Is patriarchy is associated with monogamy whereas matriarchy is associated with non-monogamy?

Not from the evidence you've marshalled so far.

[solidsnack9000]

Chimps actually do not live in harems. That is a more accurate description of orangutangs and gorillas.

Chimps live in what could fairly be called a polyamorous society.

Matriarchy is very rare in the animal kingdom. Thus it is hard to say what it is associated with. Even when species have a female dominance hierarchy, it may not be the dominant one, if you take my meaning. Observationally, female dominance hierarchies are characterized by inter-generational immobility: dominance is for the most part inherited.

[stcredzero]

Chimps live in what could fairly be called a polyamorous society.

What about Bonobos? If Chimps are already polyamorous, maybe we need a different term for Bonobos?

[solidsnack9000]

Polyamorous isn't a specific enough term. Perhaps for the sake of our discussion it's enough to say that neither animal demonstrates monogamy or the kind of harem / central-female-group characteristic of sultans or lions.

There's a lot of good material online about what chimp mating behaviour is actually like.

Monogamy is rare in the animal kingdom, more characteristic of birds than of any other creatures.