Jokes and Ethnic Tension
Over the past few days I’ve learned that Mali is an incredibly diverse country with different ethnic groups in each region and even within regions. The are more than 10 distinct languages not to mention all the dialects. Even with this incredible diversity there is ( or at least there appears to be) very little ethnic tension in the country.
Why not? Joking is the answer I get from OxfamAmerica staff. There is an elaborate system of “joking cousins” that has developed. Depending on your last name you are “cousins” with people who have specific other last names. Even though these people are not actually related to you, you are committed to helping them. When they don’t need help, however, you just tease/nag/harass the heck out of them. This system of teasing crosses ethnic lines and ensures some joking and laughing will break the ice in any group situation.
