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What differences existed between patrilineal southern hunting groups and matrilineal forest nomads?

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distribution of aboriginal South American and circum-Caribbean cultural groups — South American nomad Distribution of aboriginal South American and circum-Caribbean cultural groups.

The primary differences between the southern hunting groups and forest nomads in South America centered on their systems of kinship, residence, and the economic roles of women.

Southern Hunting Groups: These tribes, such as those in Patagonia and the Pampas, were patrilineal, meaning descent was traced through the male line. They were also patrilocal, requiring a wife to reside with her husband’s lineage and band.1
Forest Nomads: Groups such as the Guayakí and Sirionó were matrilineal and matrilocal. In these societies, individuals traced their ancestry through their mother’s lineage, and men moved to live with their wife’s band.1

These social structures were closely linked to subsistence patterns. Among forest nomads, matrilineal descent and matrilocal residence were associated with the significant role women played in gathering food. In contrast, southern hunters relied on cooperative hunting of animals like guanaco and rhea, which influenced their band-based social organization.123