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" or " joking relationship". 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 The Mali Empire (Manding languages, Manding: ''Mandé''Ki-Zerbo, Joseph: ''UNESCO General History of Africa, Vol. IV, Abridged Edition: Africa from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century'', p. 57. University of California Press, 1997. or ''Manden ...

, by

Sundiata Keita Sundiata Keita ( Mandinka, Malinke: ; 1217 – c. 1255, N'Ko spelling: ; also known as Manding Diara, Lion of Mali, Sogolon Djata, son of Sogolon, Nare Maghan and Sogo Sogo Simbon Salaba) was a prince and founder of the Mali Empire. He was als ...

in c. 1236. This complex and longstanding custom in West African society is thought to survive in

African-American culture African-American culture, also known as Black American culture or Black culture in American English, refers to the cultural expressions of African Americans, either as part of or distinct from mainstream American culture. African-American/Bl ...

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 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 Culture of Mali Culture of the Gambia West African culture Culture of Burkina Faso African-American cultural history Sociology of culture Social concepts

See also

References