Pronunciation: [ɛndˈə͡ʊɡɐməs] (IPA) 
Endogamous is spelled with the IPA transcription /ɛnˈdɑːɡəməs/. The first syllable sounds like "en" with the vowel "ɛ" and a "n" sound, followed by the "dɑ" sound that starts with an "d" and ends with "ɑ". The second syllable starts with the vowel "ə" and then has the "gəməs" sound that starts with a "g" and ends with an "s" sound. This word refers to the practice of marrying within one's own social or cultural group.
Endogamous is an adjective that refers to the practice or custom of marriage within a specific social, cultural, or ethnic group, and excludes individuals who do not belong to that group. The term comes from the combination of two Greek elements: "endo," meaning "within," and "gamos," meaning "marriage."
In the context of anthropology and sociology, endogamy is seen as a way to preserve and maintain cultural traditions, social norms, and ethnic or racial purity. It is often associated with closed or tightly-knit communities, where marriage outside the group is discouraged or forbidden. The practice helps to solidify social bonds, create alliances, and reinforce shared values and identities within the group. It can also be a means of managing resources, inheritance, and power dynamics.
Endogamy can manifest in various forms, such as religious endogamy, ethnic endogamy, or caste endogamy, where individuals are expected or obligated to marry someone from the same religious, ethnic, or caste background respectively. This practice can be consensual, followed willingly by individuals within the community, or enforced through strict social rules and regulations.
It is noteworthy that endogamy is a distinct concept from exogamy, which refers to the practice of marrying outside one's social or cultural group. These terms are often used in comparative analyses of marriage practices and kinship systems, shedding light on the diversity of human relationships and the ways in which societies are structured.
(biology)
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "endogamous" comes from two Greek roots: "endo" meaning "within" or "inside", and "gamos" meaning "marriage" or "union". Therefore, the term "endogamous" refers to the practice of marriage or union within a specific group, such as a particular social, cultural, or religious group.
