Tsakhurs - Kinship

Kin Groups and Descent. The most widespread term for kinship groupings is "tukhum," which denotes a set of groups clearly related along patrilineal lines (up to five or even seven generations). If it grew, the tukhum could divide, and groups of a different (first, second) order appeared. In every settlement there were several tukhums (in the city of Tsakhur, fourteen; in Suvagil, twelve), each with its own name, usually derived from the name of its founder. Some tukhums derive their origin from other ethnic groups (Arabs, Andis, Kubachins, etc.). In the distant past each tukhum had its definite place of settlement, plow land, pastureland, hay fields, forest, mill, and cemeteries and decided on the admission of persons from other settlements or the expulsion of unworthy persons. The members of the same tukhum supported each other morally and materially. In their social relations the tukhums were not uniform. The tukhums of one settlement would constitute a commune at the assemblies at which important communal matters were decided. The tukhum and the commune in general served to maintain many positively valued traditional institutions such as the custom of mutual aid and hospitality. In the nineteenth century the tukhum had already ceased to be the primary economic and political entity; territorial relations predominated in Daghestan in this period. Yet survivals of ideological systems derived from the tukhum have been preserved until this day (e.g., marriages with persons of less honored tukhums are sometimes considered undesirable). Sworn brotherhood, a form of ceremonial kinship, was also common.

The Tsakhurs reckon kinship in both the patrilineal and the matrilineal lines. The patrilineal kindred and the matrilineal complement one another.

Kinship Terminology. There are distinct terms for the father's brother and the mother's brother, the father's sister and the mother's (i.e., bifurcate-collateral kin terms). There are specific terms for kinship in the direct line through six generations: great grandfather ("old father"), grandfather, father, son, grandson, great grandson ("continuation of the grandson"). Relatives in collateral lines are also distinguished (e.g., brother, male cousin, male second cousin). The remaining relatives are called "the kindred," a term with the second meaning of affinal kinship, that is, the relatives of the wife or the husband. Such relatives are also called by a special term for affines.