Snapshots on Africa: food, customs, styles, business and more.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Terminology for skin color/race
In the Duala language, black, i.e. local, with no visible European or Asian heritage, is "Moundo" ("Mindo," Pl.). A Caucasian is called a Moukala (Bakala, Pl.).
Fascinating how language functions as a kind of cultural gauge, making distinctions according to what the people feel is important for their society. Is there a word for someone of mixed heritage/color?
To Susan C.: I asked the expert (husband) who said nobody thought about mixed heritage before the Europeans came along... so the word used is "mulatto" - you probably know that word already!
Please let me know your thoughts and questions. Also, if you feel that anything is incorrect, please let me know. I need to moderate the comments, as in recent years there has been a spike in spam.
Fascinating how language functions as a kind of cultural gauge, making distinctions according to what the people feel is important for their society. Is there a word for someone of mixed heritage/color?
ReplyDeleteTo Susan C.: I asked the expert (husband) who said nobody thought about mixed heritage before the Europeans came along... so the word used is "mulatto" - you probably know that word already!
ReplyDelete