Kinship refers to a social relation that links individuals through blood ties (consanguinity), marriage (affinity), or adoption, forming the basis of family and social organisation in many societies. These relationships define social roles, obligations, and expectations among individuals and groups, influencing patterns of inheritance, residence, and social support. Different cultures have diverse kinship systems that determine how family relationships are recognised and structured, including variations in descent patterns (e.g., patrilineal, matrilineal, bilateral) and the importance placed on different types of relatives. Kinship systems play a fundamental role in shaping social organisation, cultural practices, and individual identities in societies around the world.