Joking relationships take the form of a playful taunting between two people from two communities in Niger, who represent symbolically the husband, and wife cross-cousin branches of the same family. It is a social practice played by communities, groups, and individuals to foster a sense of community, solidarity, and conviviality.
Joking relationships, or Sanankuya, refer to a social characteristic found particularly among the Manding populations as well as West Africa as a whole, which is often translated into English as "cousinage" or "joking relationship".
The social practice is performed within individuals and groups in ethnolinguistic communities to promote fraternity, solidarity, and conviviality. There are pre-established Sanankuya relationships between certain ethnic or professional clans, as well as Sanankuya relationships between any two willing participants who have "broken the ice".
Sanankuya relationship members may treat one another as close relatives or cousins with whom they exchange humorous jokes or insults. Sanankuya relationships are considered an essential element of Mande and West African culture. According to legend, Sanankuya was enjoined by Sundiata Keita as a civic duty in the Kurukan Fuga of the Mali Empire in about 1236.
These complex and long-standing customs in West African society are thought by some to survive in African-American culture and are practiced in "the Dozens," or warm insults. Additional customs derived from these are the status of non-blood relatives with each other ("play" aunts, cousins, etc.)
Both the Traoré and Koné clans maintain Sanankuya relationships with their members. One of their very famous running jokes is that each clan will accuse the other of eating more beans than it does.
Joking relationships are practiced in public places, in the fields, offices, market places, at water sources, as well as in the home, as well as on special occasions like weddings, baptisms, ceremonies, and funerals. The members tell the truth, joke together, and pool their assets. Any disputes must be settled peacefully. Cultural and entertainment events also involve joke relationships and are arranged on special occasions.
Joking relationships are especially important in the first lunar month. They are passed down from generation to generation, and they are used for reconciliation and peace-building, as well as for promoting the cohesion and stability of families, ethnic groups, and communities. They promote social equality, both in terms of age and hierarchy, as well as intergenerational dialogue.
It is a social practice performed within individuals and groups in ethnolinguistic communities to promote fraternity, solidarity, and conviviality.
Joking relationshipskKnown as sanankou(n)ya sanankun, sinenkun, sanankuya) refers to a social characteristic found particularly among the Manding populations as well as much of West Africa as a whole, which is often translated into English as "cousinage" or "joking relationship".
Additionally, there are pre-established sanankuya relationships between certain ethnic or professional clans, as well as sanankuya relationships between any two willing participants who have "broken the ice". Sanankuya relationship members may treat one another as close relatives or cousins with whom they exchange humorous jokes or insults. Sanankuya relationships are considered an essential element of Mande and West African culture. According to legend, Sanankuya was enjoined by Sundiata Keita as a civic duty in the Kurukan Fuga of the Mali Empire in about 1236.
These complex and long-standing customs in West African society are thought by some to survive in African-American culture and are practiced in "the Dozens," or warm insults. Additional customs derived from these are the status of non-blood relatives with each other ("play" aunts, cousins, etc.)
Both the Traoré and Koné clans maintain sanankuya relationships with their members. One of their very famous running jokes is that each clan will accuse the other of eating more beans than it does.
The marriages are based on playful taunting between two people from two communities who represent symbolically the husband and wife cross-cousin branches of the same family. These marriages are based on ancestral pacts that prevent conflict or war between certain groups and require the members to love one another and help one another when necessary.
Joking relationships are practiced in public places, in the fields, offices, market places, at water sources, as well as in the home, as well as on special occasions like weddings, baptisms, ceremonies, and funerals. The members tell the truth, joke together, and pool their assets. Any disputes must be settled peacefully. Cultural and entertainment events also involve joke relationships and are arranged on special occasions.
Joking relationships are especially important in the first lunar month. They are passed down from generation to generation, and they are used for reconciliation and peace-building, as well as for promoting the cohesion and stability of families, ethnic groups, and communities. They promote social equality, both in terms of age and hierarchy, as well as intergenerational dialogue.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/practices-and-expressions-of-joking-relationships-in-niger-01009) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joking_relationship) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanankuya) |Subject=Entertainment and Recreation |Country=Niger |SDG=(11) Sustainable Cities and Communities }}