Teacher Notes: Family relationships in Kinyarwanda

Family relationships in Kinyarwanda are different from English in that there is no paralel relationship in anyway. Highlight the different translations of english terms on the basis of Kinyarwanda structure and meanings. For example: (1) Uncle- it is marume (my mother's brother only). In Kinyarwanda, my father's brother is also data (father) irrespective of his age.  (2) Aunt- It is masenge (my father's sister only). In Kinyarwanda, my mother's sister is also mama (mother) irrespective of her age. (3) Cousin-  It is mubyara (it exclusively refers to the child of marume or masenge).