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Difference between revisions of "Kumstvo (Montenegro)"
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Similar institutions to ''kumstvo'' can be found elsewhere in the world. The term ''kum'' and derived terms associated with the process of becoming a ''kum'' are known across Eastern Europe (compare: ''kummi'' (‘godmother’ in Finnish), ''kūms''/''kūma'' (Latvian), ''кум''/''кума'' (Russian), ''kmotor''/''kmotra'' (Czeck and Slovak), ''kum''/''kuma'' (Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian). Тhe particularities of the institution may differ from country to country, while in other societies a similar institution may be described by a different term. All Christian confessions have the institution of ''godparenthood'': a person or a group of persons invited to become a spiritual parent of a newly baptised person. The number of godparents varies greatly, as does the role of the godparent in the life of godchild. | Similar institutions to ''kumstvo'' can be found elsewhere in the world. The term ''kum'' and derived terms associated with the process of becoming a ''kum'' are known across Eastern Europe (compare: ''kummi'' (‘godmother’ in Finnish), ''kūms''/''kūma'' (Latvian), ''кум''/''кума'' (Russian), ''kmotor''/''kmotra'' (Czeck and Slovak), ''kum''/''kuma'' (Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian). Тhe particularities of the institution may differ from country to country, while in other societies a similar institution may be described by a different term. All Christian confessions have the institution of ''godparenthood'': a person or a group of persons invited to become a spiritual parent of a newly baptised person. The number of godparents varies greatly, as does the role of the godparent in the life of godchild. | ||
The most well-known counterpart of ''kumstvo'' is [[ | The most well-known counterpart of ''kumstvo'' is ''[[compadrazgo]]'' in the Iberian peninsula and especially Latin America. ''Compadrazgo'' shares many essential features with Montenegrin ''kumstvo'', however these features vary from place to place in Latin America. Latin American ''compadrazgo'' is almost invariably created at a baptism of a child and establishes a strong bond between the three parties involved. Particularly important is the tie between the co-parents. Refusing an offer to become a ''compadre'' is almost impossible. Literature describes both vertical (class-external, mostly seeking a compadre from a higher social class) as well as horizontal (class-internal) choices of compadre. In some places, strategic choice of a compadre from an upper social class is treated with contempt<ref>Mintz, Sidney W, and Eric E. R. Wolf. 1950. 'An Analysis of Ritual Co-Parenthood (Compadrazgo).' Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 6(4):341-368.</ref>, while in other cases it is a common guiding principle. The compadre can be chosen either from among relatives or from people who are not kin; again, preferences vary regionally. Although the Latin American tradition of ''compadrazgo'' has undeniable roots in Europe and Christianity, some authors<ref>Halbich, Marek. 2010. 'Ritual Compadrazgo as an instrument of interethnic and social Adaptation among the Rarámuri in Northwestern Mexico' Accessed September 27, 2011. http://lidemesta.cz/index.php?id=702</ref><ref>Mintz, Sidney W, and Eric E. R. Wolf. 1950. 'An Analysis of Ritual Co-Parenthood (Compadrazgo).' Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 6(4):341-368.</ref> point out that the pre-Columbian Aztecs may have had a similar institution with very similar implications. | ||
The functionality of ''kumstvo'' (as well as ''compadrazgo'') is almost invariably linked with the possibility of extending one’s network of support and allegiance beyond that of kin relations. A person born in Montenegro finds themself embedded in various networks that tend to define not only personal affiliations, but quite often political alliances too. An individual belongs to a particular linguistic and religious group, family (patrilineage or ''bratstvo''), and geographic area. None of these can be changed by the individual to suit his or her particular life-course. Thus, ''kumstvo'' can provide a means of breaking away from the rigid frames of the prescribed networks. Because ''kumstvo'' is not exclusively a Christian endeavour, ''kumstvo'' links can be created across national and religious borders if necessary. | The functionality of ''kumstvo'' (as well as ''compadrazgo'') is almost invariably linked with the possibility of extending one’s network of support and allegiance beyond that of kin relations. A person born in Montenegro finds themself embedded in various networks that tend to define not only personal affiliations, but quite often political alliances too. An individual belongs to a particular linguistic and religious group, family (patrilineage or ''bratstvo''), and geographic area. None of these can be changed by the individual to suit his or her particular life-course. Thus, ''kumstvo'' can provide a means of breaking away from the rigid frames of the prescribed networks. Because ''kumstvo'' is not exclusively a Christian endeavour, ''kumstvo'' links can be created across national and religious borders if necessary. | ||