Sanankuya (also sanankou(n)ya, sinankun, senenkun, senankuya) refers to a social characteristic present especially among the Manding peoples as well as many West African societies in general, often described in English with terms such as "

cousinage In anthropology, kinship is the web of social relationships that form an important part of the lives of all humans in all societies, although its exact meanings even within this discipline are often debated. Anthropologist Robin Fox says that ...

" or "

joking relationship In anthropology, a joking relationship is a relationship between two people that involves a ritualised banter of teasing or mocking. In Niger it is listed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Structure Ana ...

". In addition to ''sanankuya'' relationships that are pre-established between certain ethnic or professional clans, a ''sanankuya'' relationship can also be established between any two willing participants who have "broken the ice". Those in a ''sanankuya'' relationship may treat one another as if cousins or close family members with whom familiar jokes or humorous insults are exchanged. It is considered an essential element of Mande/West African society. Sanankuya was reputedly ordained as a civic duty in the '' Kurukan Fuga'', the oral constitution of the Mali Empire, by Sundiata Keita in c. 1236. This complex and longstanding custom in West African society is thought to survive in African-American culture in such cultural practices as "

the Dozens The Dozens is a game played between two contestants in which the participants insult each other until one of them gives up. Common in African-American communities, the Dozens is almost exclusively played in front of an audience, who encourage the ...

," or trading warm insults. In addition, the custom of non-blood relatives according each other the status of familial relationships ("play" aunts, cousins, etc.) may be derived from this custom. The

Traoré Traoré or Traore is a surname of Manding origin ( bm, Taara-oray), as written in French orthography, which is common in Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Guinea. In anglophone West Africa the name is often spelled Trawally. Notable peo ...

and Koné clans each maintain a ''sanankuya'' relationship with the others' members. One of their biggest running jokes is that each clan will accuse the other of loving to eat beans the most.McNaughton, p. 90.

References

Mandé people Malian culture Gambian culture West African culture Burkinabé culture African-American cultural history Sociology of culture Social concepts

See also

References