Answer:
In West African societies, caste and clan were distinct social systems with different characteristics and methods of determination.
Caste:
Caste refers to a social hierarchy or stratification system based on occupation and hereditary status. It determines a person's social standing and occupation from birth. In West African societies, caste systems were prevalent in regions such as Mali, Senegal, and Guinea.
Determination of Caste: Caste is determined at birth and is usually hereditary. A person's caste is determined by the caste of their parents, and they inherit the caste status of their family. Caste membership is typically lifelong, and individuals are expected to fulfill the roles and responsibilities associated with their caste.
Clan:
Clan refers to a kinship-based social group or lineage. Clans are typically composed of individuals who trace their ancestry back to a common ancestor. Clans provide a sense of identity, shared heritage, and social cohesion within communities.
Determination of Clan: Clan membership is determined through the lineage or ancestry of an individual. It is based on tracing one's family lineage back through generations to a common ancestor or founding figure. Clan membership is often considered a matter of descent and is passed down through the generations.
In summary, the main differences between caste and clan in West African societies are:
Caste is a social hierarchy based on occupation and hereditary status, while clan is a kinship-based social group.
Caste determines a person's social standing and occupation from birth, while clan membership is based on tracing one's ancestry back to a common ancestor.
Caste is determined by the caste of one's parents, while clan membership is determined by tracing one's family lineage.