RU | EN
Submenu

Zheltov A. Yu. Some peculiarities of kinship terms systems of Bantu-speaking peoples in the context of macro- and micro-typologies: generation of parents

Aleksandr Yu. Zheltov
Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences;
Saint-Petersburg State University
St. Petersburg, Russia 
E-mail: ajujeltov@mail.ru

 

  Download  |  Go to Issue #4. 2019

 

УДК 81’373.232.4 
DOI 10.31250/2618-8619-2019-4(6)-122-130 

 

ABSTRACT. The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the systems of kinship terms (SKT) of Bantuspeaking peoples, and considers the basic typological features of the terms for parents generation. In general, in the framework of macro-typology of the system of kinship terms the system of Bantu-speaking peoples is traditionally classified as bifurcative (bifurcative-merging or Iroquois) according to the interpretation of lateral lines in the generation of parents, as well as relational (gender of one’s sibling is defined through the gender of ego) with differences in age of the siblings, according to the typology of siblings (Girenko 1982). Meanwhile, the SKT under consideration show much greater variability. Thus, the bifurcative-merging type is indeed observed in many systems (Swahili, Rwanda, Zaramo, Matengo), but the existing descriptions allow us to draw conclusions about the presence of linear type (Ha) or linear type elements (Gusia). In some cases, the systems are complicated by the emergence of loanwords and descriptive terms (Swahili), as well as suppletive forms of possessive constructions (Rwanda). In many cases, the existing descriptions of kinship nomenclatures contain lacunae that do not allow typologizing specific SKT. Accordingly, the creation of a most detailed database of Bantu-speaking peoples SKT appears to be very important. 

 

KEYWORDS: kinship terms systems, Bantu, Iroquois type, typology

 

REFERENCES

  • Гиренко Н. М. Брат — сестра (соотношение типов терминологии и социогенеза) // Африканский этнографический сборник. ХIII. Л., 1982. С. 34–49.
  • Дзибель Г. В. Феномен родства: Пролегомены к иденетической теории. СПб., 2001.
  • Иванова О. А. Грамматические особенности терминов родства в языках банту. Курсовая работа (рукопись). СПб., 2005.
  • Крюков М. В. Система родства китайцев. М., 1972.
  • Николаева А. К. Лингвистические и антропологические особенности родства восточных банту. Курсовая работа (рукопись). СПб., 2018.
  • Попов В. А. Системы терминов родства // Народы и религии мира. Энциклопедия. М., 2000. С. 899.
  • Brain J. L. A Switch in Meaning in Swahili Kinship Terminology // American Anthropologist. 1966. Vol. 68. P. 1244–1245. URL: https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1966.68.5.02a00120 (дата обращения: 12.07.2019).
  • Dahl Ö., Koptjevskaja-Tamm M. Kinship in grammar // Dimensions of Possession. Typological Studies in Language. 2001. Vol. 47. P. 201–225.
  • Hage P. Dravidian Kinship Systems in Africa // L’Homme. 2006. Vol. 1/2 (177–178). P. 395–407. URL: https://journals.openedition.org/lhomme/21745?file=1 (дата обращения: 12.07.2019).
  • Kroeber A. L. Classificatory systems of relationship // Nelson Graburn. Readings in kinship and social structure. N. Y., 1971. P. 59–64.
  • Marck J., Hage P., Bostoen K., Muzenga J.-G. K. Kin terms in the East Bantu proto languages: initial findings1. 2006. URL: http://jeffmarck.net/publications/MarckHageEtAl-ProtoEastBantu.pdf (дата обращения 12.07.2019).
  • Schwimmer B. 1995–2003 University of Manitoba, Revised: January 1996, April 1997, October 1997, January 2001, May 2002, August 2003. URL: http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/tutor/kinterms/termsys.html (дата обращения: 12.07.2019).