Learn English – Word to describe a group of people helping each other based on kinship

single-word-requests

I'm having trouble finding an accurate word for a group of people that look after each other based on a mutual kinship/ association. Let's say that X is currently looking for a job, so they decide to reach out to Y to help them based on that mutual kinship. There's a strong connection that makes Y help X, even if they don't know each other at all.

The word "Network" doesn't seem to convey the meaning I'm looking at.

Best Answer

The generic term for such a group is literally "kinship group" which Oxford defines as

kinship group [noun] Anthropology: A family, clan, or other group based on kinship (...) Example: a clan is a corporate kinship group whose members are considered blood relatives and claim descent from a common ancestral spirit, but who may not know their precise genealogical relationship.

Source: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/kinship_group (see "example sentences")

Specifically, the term clan seems to fit your meaning:

1A close-knit group of interrelated families, especially in the Scottish Highlands

1.1 A large family

1.2 A group of people with a strong common interest.

Source: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/clan

In addition,

a descent group is a social group whose members talk about common ancestry.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinship

In India we simply say "relatives" or "fellow-villagers" which means anyone related by kinship as in blood or marriage, or belonging to the same village/town/region. Even a remote relative or an unknown fellow-villager can have a claim on help and support in time of need, in communities that subscribe to that concept.

Example sentences that fit your context:

When the Indian student faced a financial crunch in New York, he was substantially supported by members of his kinship group, including relatives and fellow-villagers living in the USA.

In his time of need, Mike Smith got help from his uncle's brother-in-law working in the same city: the Smith clan looks out for each other.

NOTE: The word "clan" originated in the Scottish Highlands but is now used universally to denote a kinship group, as demonstrated by the many example sentences at Oxford Dictionaries Dot Com.

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