Anthropos: Anthropos, 68.1973

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Strukturtyp:: Zeitschrift

Werks-URN (URL):: https://digi.evifa.de/viewer/resolver?urn=urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-d-4754913

URN:: urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-d-4754913

Persistenter Identifier:: BV043334262

Titel:: Anthropos

Erscheinungsort:: Fribourg

Verlag:: Ed. St. Paul

Erscheinungsjahr:: 1906

Sammlung:: Zeitschriften und Zeitungen > Zeitschriften zur Ethnologie

Wissensgebiet:: Sozial- und Kulturanthropologie > Allgemeines

Zeitschriftenband

Strukturtyp:: Zeitschriftenband

Werks-URN (URL):: https://digi.evifa.de/viewer/resolver?urn=urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-d-4748065

URN:: urn:nbn:de:kobv:11-d-4748065

Persistenter Identifier:: 1510645196388

Titel:: Anthropos, 68.1973

Erscheinungsjahr:: 1973

Signatur:: LA 1118

Sammlung:: Zeitschriften und Zeitungen > Zeitschriften zur Ethnologie

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Strukturtyp:: Zeitschriftenheft

Titel:: Bd. 68, 1973, Heft 1-2

Sammlung:: Zeitschriften und Zeitungen > Zeitschriften zur Ethnologie

Volltext

Union structurale et Alliance en Afrique Centrale
Léon de Sousberghe
Summarium. - The term structural union is applied here to all those husband-wife
relations that may appear, starting from birth, between consanguineal kin. They include
these unions which for such a long time and so inappropriately have been called “preferential”.
These are only a particular case of structural unions brought to conclusion and effectually
practised; the most common form is of course between cross cousins. The author shows that
at least in the parts of Central Africa formerly administered by Belgium (the former Congo,
now Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi), the husband-wife relation never appears between cross
cousins unless the same relation also exists between grand-parents and grand-children ; an
interdependence already noticed by SELIGMAN (1924) in East Africa. But SELIGMAN’s
formulations must be reversed: it is not true that the husband-wife relation between grand
parent and grand-child is always followed by cross cousin union. But it is a fact that cross
cousin union will never be found except in combination with husband-wife relation between
first and third generation ; both are the expression of the identity between first and third
generation. - The structural character of the husband-wife relation between cross cousins
is obvious from the material gathered in the tribes of the Great Lakes region. The union
is often hardly practised or brought to conclusion. Nevertheless, cross cousins are husband
and wife from birth and remain so till death, even after marriage with other partners. Even
after marriage with others, the cross cousin may often consider himself in the house of his
married cross cousin as “in his own home”, and can exercise authority, the actual or factual
husband having to step aside and keep in the background while he is there. — If a wife has
to be reprimanded (e.g. for her laziness), the actual husband will appeal to the cross cousin,
the structural husband, and tell him: “our wife has such a shortcoming ; could you tell her”.
The admonishment will be more readily accepted from the structural husband, the cross cousin.
Reciprocally, the (female) cross cousin considers herself “at home” (i.e. in her home) in the
house of her cross cousin, even after marriage with another man. She can go straight into the
kitchen without asking permission, prepare a meal for herself, etc. The actual wife must keep in
the background ; she cannot complain, but should show herself submissive and help fui. Relations
between actual and structural husband or wife are said to be generally good and are an inter
esting object of study. The cross cousin union is said to be particularly agreable to the ancestors
and specially under their protection, to the point that they do not allow it to be dissolved among
the Nyanga and Hunde. There is no marriage ceremony between cross cousins; they are
already born husband and wife. But there is a divorce ceremony if a girl wants to marry
another man than her cross cousin. - The same principle of identity of alternate generations
is shown to govern the evolution of relations between in-laws. This evolution of relations
between in-laws of different generations is actually common in the Great Lakes region, while
still exceptional in the Lower Congo region. — Avoidance between mother-in-law and son-in-
law is mitigated or ended when the son-in-law presents a son to his mother-in-law : “Here is
K. JL Narr
nmprn

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