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Difference between revisions of "Kumstvo (Montenegro)"
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''Kumstvo'' (from ''kum'' a godfather, ''kuma'' – a godmother) is an informal network based on fictive kinship in Montenegro (a similar term associated with slightly different practices exists elsewhere in Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia). ''Kumstvo'' is one of the most venerated social institutions in Montenegro, often described with the words ‘''kumstvo je svetinja''’ (‘''kumstvo'' is holy’). ''Kumstvo'' plays a significant role in the informal ties that permeate Montenegrin society. ''Kumovi'' just like blood relatives are supposed to help each other and in most cases they do so in spite of formal bureaucratic ideals, thus often leading to nepotism. | ''Kumstvo'' (from ''kum'' a godfather, ''kuma'' – a godmother) is an informal network based on fictive kinship in Montenegro (a similar term associated with slightly different practices exists elsewhere in Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia). ''Kumstvo'' is one of the most venerated social institutions in Montenegro, often described with the words ‘''kumstvo je svetinja''’ (‘''kumstvo'' is holy’). ''Kumstvo'' plays a significant role in the informal ties that permeate Montenegrin society. ''Kumovi'' just like blood relatives are supposed to help each other and in most cases they do so in spite of formal bureaucratic ideals, thus often leading to nepotism. | ||
''Kumstvo'' is usually established by а person serving as a godparent, either in the baptism of a child or as а witness at a wedding, and thus is formally established through an official ceremony. Nevertheless, other means of initiating ''kumstvo'' that are not related to formal ceremonies are also described in the available literature. In contrast to other similar institutions e.g. Latin American ''compadrazgo'', Montenegrin ''kumstvo'' eschews hierarchical relations. After ''kumstvo'' has been established, all members of the nuclear families involved become ''kumovi'' (plural from, ''kum'' (m) or ''kuma'' (f)) to each other and are considered relatives for several generations (historically the relatedness could be counted up to the seventh degree<ref>Tomašić, Dinko. 1948. Personality and culture in Eastern European politics. New York: G.W. Stewart.</ref>). | [[File:rankovic.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Aleksandar Ranković, considered the third most powerful official in Yugoslavia and witness at Tito's wedding]] ''Kumstvo'' is usually established by а person serving as a godparent, either in the baptism of a child or as а witness at a wedding, and thus is formally established through an official ceremony. Nevertheless, other means of initiating ''kumstvo'' that are not related to formal ceremonies are also described in the available literature. In contrast to other similar institutions e.g. Latin American ''compadrazgo'', Montenegrin ''kumstvo'' eschews hierarchical relations. After ''kumstvo'' has been established, all members of the nuclear families involved become ''kumovi'' (plural from, ''kum'' (m) or ''kuma'' (f)) to each other and are considered relatives for several generations (historically the relatedness could be counted up to the seventh degree<ref>Tomašić, Dinko. 1948. Personality and culture in Eastern European politics. New York: G.W. Stewart.</ref>). | ||
The choice of a ''kumstvo'' partner or ''kum''/''kuma'' is preferably made on the basis of prior friendship and ''kumstvo'' itself then serves as a formalisation of such friendship. Thus ''kumovi'' are usually best friends and ''kumstvo'' is a proof of a very deep and important relationship. However, an offer to become a ''kum'' even if it comes from someone who is not a close friend is considered an offer that should not be refused. An offer to become a ''kum'' is considered a great honour and a ground for pride. In almost all cases an offer of ''kumstvo'' to a previously unknown person is done through baptism of a child, and such cases clearly indicate the presence of vertical relationships that (similarly to godparenthood in other areas) require the godfather to take care of the godchild. ''Kumstvo'' can be established across religions (although not in accord with the Christian idea of godparenthood where the godparent should be a spiritual parent already experienced in the particular faith) at an event celebrating first haircut of the child (called ''šišano kumstvo''), or during the circumcision ceremony (only regarding boys) if the parents are Muslim. | The choice of a ''kumstvo'' partner or ''kum''/''kuma'' is preferably made on the basis of prior friendship and ''kumstvo'' itself then serves as a formalisation of such friendship. Thus ''kumovi'' are usually best friends and ''kumstvo'' is a proof of a very deep and important relationship. However, an offer to become a ''kum'' even if it comes from someone who is not a close friend is considered an offer that should not be refused. An offer to become a ''kum'' is considered a great honour and a ground for pride. In almost all cases an offer of ''kumstvo'' to a previously unknown person is done through baptism of a child, and such cases clearly indicate the presence of vertical relationships that (similarly to godparenthood in other areas) require the godfather to take care of the godchild. ''Kumstvo'' can be established across religions (although not in accord with the Christian idea of godparenthood where the godparent should be a spiritual parent already experienced in the particular faith) at an event celebrating first haircut of the child (called ''šišano kumstvo''), or during the circumcision ceremony (only regarding boys) if the parents are Muslim. | ||