Final answer:
The Nayar of India and the Hopi of Southwestern USA are examples of societies that adhere to matrilineal descent rules, tracing lineage through the female line, which significantly influences their social structures and inheritance practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Nayar of India and the Hopi of the Southwestern USA follow a matrilineal descent rule. In matrilineal societies, descent, inheritance, and family ties are traced through the female line, unlike patrilineal societies where lineage follows the male line. This distinction is crucial as it influences social structures, including kinship, inheritance, and the organization of communities. For example, in matrilineal societies like that of the Navajo, descent is traced through mothers and grandmothers, often leading to the establishment of matrilocal households where sons-in-law join the wife's family. In contrast, patrilineal systems, dominant in parts of rural China and India, prioritize the male line for carrying on the family surname and bestowing a permanent family membership, thereby reinforcing male prestige.