Difference between revisions of "Magharich (Armenia)"

Magharich’ refers to a traditional gift-giving practice in Armenian culture, which in more modern times has also become a euphemism for a bribe. Thus, the word magharich’ is used to characterise two substantially different practices, with the meaning shifting according to the context of use.

Magharich’ refers to a traditional gift-giving practice in Armenian culture, which in more modern times has also become a euphemism for a bribe. Thus, the word magharich’ is used to characterise two substantially different practices, with the meaning shifting according to the context of use.

In its original meaning, magharich’ means a gift given by a person who receives good news on personal matters, to a friend, relative, neighbour, or to the person who conveys the news (Hayots Lezvi Barbarrayin Bararan Vol. 4 2007: 17)<ref>Hayot slezvi barbarayin bararan (Dictionary of Armenian Dialects). 2007. Yerevan: National Academy of Science of RA, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=48&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref>.The first appearance of this word in Armenian dictionaries can be dated to 1944 (Malkhasyants 1944: 244)<ref>Malkaseants, S. 1944.  Hayeren Bats'atrakan Bararan (Explanatory Dictionary of Armenian). Yerevan: Haykakan SSR petakan Hartaraktchutyun, Vol 3, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=29&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref>, where it was presented as a synonym of the word avetcheq, which means a gift given to a person who brings good news (Raffi 1970, see also Aghayan 1974: 960, Jamanakakic Hayots Lezvi Bats'atrakan Bararan 1974: 468)<ref>Raffi. 1970. Samvel. Hayastan, Yerevan</ref><ref>Aghayan, E. B. 1976. Ardi hayereni bats’atrakan bararan(Explanatory dictionary of contemporary Armenian). Yerevan: ''Hayastan'' Hratarakchutyun, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=24&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref><ref>Jamanakakic hajoc lezvi bats'atrakan bararan (Explanatory dictionary of contemporary Armenian language). 1974. Yerevan: Hrachya Atcharyani Anvan Lezvi Institut: Hajkakan SSH  Gitutyunneri Akademiaji hratarakchutyun, Vol.3, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=24&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref>. Essentially, the magharich’ gift is given because the recipient of the good news is so thankful that they wish to share it in some way. Indeed, the receiver of the magharich’ might not even expect anything in compensation for the service. The same meaning holds where the beneficiary offers a magharich’ to friends, neighbours or relatives, in order for them to share joy, good fortune or happy news. A typical example of this type of magharich’, especially in Soviet Armenia, was money given to midwives who brought news of a successful delivery and announced the gender of the newborn. Armenian fathers were especially generous when the newborn was a boy. Another example is giving money to a doctor following successful surgery.

In its original meaning, magharich’ means a gift given by a person who receives good news on personal matters, to a friend, relative, neighbour, or to the person who conveys the news (Hayots Lezvi Barbarrayin Bararan Vol. 4 2007: 17)<ref>Hayot slezvi barbarayin bararan (Dictionary of Armenian Dialects). 2007. Yerevan: National Academy of Science of RA, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=48&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref>.The first appearance of this word in Armenian dictionaries can be dated to 1944 (Malkhasyants 1944: 244)<ref>Malkaseants, S. 1944.  Hayeren Bats'atrakan Bararan (Explanatory Dictionary of Armenian). Yerevan: Haykakan SSR petakan Hartaraktchutyun, Vol 3, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=29&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref>, where it was presented as a synonym of the word avetcheq, which means a gift given to a person who brings good news (Raffi 1970, see also Aghayan 1974: 960, Jamanakakic Hayots Lezvi Bats'atrakan Bararan 1974: 468)<ref>Raffi. 1970. Samvel. Hayastan, Yerevan</ref><ref>Aghayan, E. B. 1976. Ardi hayereni bats’atrakan bararan(Explanatory dictionary of contemporary Armenian). Yerevan: ''Hayastan'' Hratarakchutyun, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=24&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref><ref>Jamanakakic hajoc lezvi bats'atrakan bararan (Explanatory dictionary of contemporary Armenian language). 1974. Yerevan: Hrachya Atcharyani Anvan Lezvi Institut: Hajkakan SSH  Gitutyunneri Akademiaji hratarakchutyun, Vol.3, http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=24&query=%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B9</ref>. Essentially, the magharich’ gift is given because the recipient of the good news is so thankful that they wish to share it in some way. Indeed, the receiver of the magharich’ might not even expect anything in compensation for the service. The same meaning holds where the beneficiary offers a magharich’ to friends, neighbours or relatives, in order for them to share joy, good fortune or happy news. A typical example of this type of magharich’, especially in Soviet Armenia, was money given to midwives who brought news of a successful delivery and announced the gender of the newborn. Armenian fathers were especially generous when the newborn was a boy. Another example is giving money to a doctor following successful surgery.

In the modern sense of the word, magharich’ is simply a ‘camouflage’ word for a bribe. To give a magharich’ or to ask for magharich’ commonly means to bribe or to solicit a bribe. Many examples of the use of the word magharich’ in this sense can be found in the Armenian media. For instance, in a report on a high profile court case, a witness was quoted as saying that he gained employment because his mother gave magharich’ to the accused, a former head of a government agency (Hetq 2004)<ref>Hetq.am. 2004. ‘Hazar dollari magharich vori masin vkan imacel e qnnichivc.’ 8 December, http://hetq.am/arm/news/57701/1000-dolari-maxarich-ori-masin-vkan-imacel-e-qnnichic.html</ref>.

In the modern sense of the word, magharich’ is simply a ‘camouflage’ word for a bribe. To give a magharich’ or to ask for magharich’ commonly means to bribe or to solicit a bribe. Many examples of the use of the word magharich’ in this sense can be found in the Armenian media. For instance, in a report on a high profile court case, a witness was quoted as saying that he gained employment because his mother gave magharich’ to the accused, a former head of a government agency (Hetq 2004)<ref>Hetq.am. 2004. ‘Hazar dollari magharich vori masin vkan imacel e qnnichivc.’ 8 December, http://hetq.am/arm/news/57701/1000-dolari-maxarich-ori-masin-vkan-imacel-e-qnnichic.html</ref>.