The Tutsi share the same Central Bantu language with the Hutu and the Twa. In Burundi it is known as Kirundi and in Rwanda it is called Kinyarwanda. They are simply different dialects of the same language. Since cattle herding is a large part of Tutsi culture, the cow is a very symbolic animal to the culture as it represents happiness, health, and prosperity. The Kirundi language has many symbolic references to cattle. For example, the Kirundi greeting Amashyo means "May you have herds of cattle". Many of the Rwandese and Burundian people also speak French, one of the official languages of Belgium which ruled over both countries after World War I. French is used in their schools and many people have French first names as a result of the socio-cultural globalization brought on by the Belgians. A small portion of the Tutsi speak also speak English, which they learned during their time as refugees in Uganda.
http://www.worldvision.org.hk/images/News/images/ireports/ir_rwanda-20yrs_20140403_img05.jpg
References:
"Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of
Burundi. N.d. Electronic document, http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Burundi.html
accessed March 25, 2014.
"Countries
and Their Cultures." Tutsi. N.d. Electronic document, http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Brazil-to-Congo-Republic-of/Tutsi.html
accessed March 25, 2014.
By researching the languages that the Tutsi speak, I have realized that the various languages that become part of a culture usually arise from some form of globalization. From a cultural anthropologist point of view, multiple languages in a culture shows how easily aspects of other cultures can be integrated over time and shape that culture. Adopting new languages is a very important part of communication between cultures. Developing a common form of communication between cultures was essential to further globalization. It was the beginning of the eradication of cultural barriers that existed throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting to see that the Tutsi spoke the same Bantu language as the Hutu and the Twa, but with minor differences in order to make it unique to themselves. I think that this was important to distinguish themselves from the other tribes since they shared many cultural similarities. As a cultural anthropologist it is important to take note of these distinguishing factors in order to better understand certain cultures.
YOu may even use an example of languages spoken by indigenous groups in America, and their struggle (We Still Live Here -- film shown in class). It is all how you frame all this, Abdel-Karim. Good job!
ReplyDeleteMr. Brown, I respectfully insist on my point about using some of the course content. Languages, as you say are very important. We showed a film about that. You can even problematize this a bit during your presentation. Is globalization really important? In any case, find some way to incorporate course content talked about in class, or showed in films to your presentation tomorrow. And if you do, add it here. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYour references are excellent!. You all did a great job there. I am pretty sure you got together and discussed all this. It will show tomorrow. You will all do great!
ReplyDelete