ɪt plˈeɪz ɐ kˈiː ɹˈoʊl ɪn kənsˈɛpʃən ˌaɪdɪˈɑːlədʒiz ænd ɛksplˈeɪnz ænd meɪntˈeɪnz ðə mˈætɹɪlˌɪniəl dᵻsˈɛnt sˈɪstəm baɪ sˈʌbstɪtˌuːɾɪŋ ðə ɹˈoʊl ʌv mˈeɪl spˈɜːm"fˈɑːðɚz"wɪð ðæt əvə spˈɪɹɪt.
It plays a key role in conception ideologies and explains and maintains the matrilineal descent system by substituting the role of male sperm ("fathers") with that of a spirit.