Chaache

Chaache (ಚಾಚೆ)

Chaache (ಚಾಚೆ) is a kinship term used in Kodava Thakk (ಕೊಡವ ತಕ್ಕ್), the traditional language of the Kodava community of Kodagu. It refers to a family relationship within the Kodava kinship system, which uses specific terms to identify relatives based on lineage, age, and marital ties.

About

A relationship (ಸಂಬಂಧ) refers to a connection or association between individuals. Relationships may arise through family, friendship, marriage, or social interaction.

An interpersonal relationship is a strong association between two or more people. These relationships exist within families, communities, and society. In family systems, relationships also involve dependence, such as the natural bond between parents and their children.

The Kodava kinship system reflects the strong Okka or clan structure, where each relationship term precisely identifies a person’s place within the family hierarchy.

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Kodava Relationship Terms

Immediate Family

• Amma / Avva (ಅಮ್ಮ / ಅವ್ವ) – Mother (ತಾಯಿ)

• Appa / Appayya / Ayya / Pappa (ಅಪ್ಪ / ಅಪ್ಪಯ್ಯ / ಅಯ್ಯ / ಪಪ್ಪ) – Father (ತಂದೆ)

• Kunji (ಕುಂಜಿ) – Child (ಮಗು)

• Kinna (ಕಿನ್ನ) – Boy (ಹುಡುಗ)

• Moodi (ಮೂಡಿ) – Girl (ಹುಡುಗಿ)

• Movanh (ಮೋವನ್) – Son (ಮಗ)

• Movah (ಮೋವ) – Daughter (ಮಗಳು)

Grandparents and Grandchildren

• Thaatha (ತಾತ) – Grandfather (ಅಜ್ಜ)

• Avvayya / Avva / Thaayi / Thathi (ಅವ್ವಯ್ಯ / ಅವ್ವ / ತಾಯಿ / ತಾತಿ) – Grandmother (ಅಜ್ಜಿ)

• Kirmovanh (ಕಿರ್ಮೋವನ್) – Grandson (ಮೊಮ್ಮಗ)

• Kirmovah (ಕಿರ್ಮೋವ) – Granddaughter (ಮೊಮ್ಮಗಳು)

Husband and Wife

• Odiya (ಒಡಿಯ) – Husband (ಗಂಡ)

• Ponn (ಪೊನ್) – Wife (ಹೆಂಡತಿ)

Siblings

• Annaiah (ಅಣ್ಣಯ್ಯ) – Elder brother (ಅಣ್ಣ) / elder male cousin

• Kunji Annaiah (ಕುಂಜಿ ಅಣ್ಣಯ್ಯ) – Younger elder brother

• Balli Annaiah (ಬಳ್ಳಿ ಅಣ್ಣಯ್ಯ) – Senior elder brother

• Thammana (ತಮ್ಮನ) – Younger brother (ತಮ್ಮ)

• Akkaiah (ಅಕ್ಕಯ್ಯ) – Elder sister (ಅಕ್ಕ)

• Thange (ತಂಗಿ) – Younger sister (ತಂಗಿ)

In-laws and Marriage Relations

• Momma (ಮೊಮ್ಮ) – Elder sister-in-law (ಅತ್ತಿಗೆ)

• Bava (ಬಾವ) – Brother-in-law (ಬಾವ)

• Machina (ಮಚಿನ) – Brother-in-law (ಮಚಿನ)

• Machinchi (ಮಚಿಂಚಿ) – Sister-in-law (ಮಚಿಂಚಿ)

• Maayi (ಮಾಯಿ) – Mother-in-law (ಅತ್ತೆ)

• Maava (ಮಾವ) – Father-in-law (ಮಾವ)

• Maima (ಮೈಮ) – Daughter-in-law / Son-in-law (ಸೊಸೆ / ಅಳಿಯ)

• Maime (ಮೈಮೆ) – Nephew / Son-in-law (ಮೊಮ್ಮಗ / ಅಳಿಯ)

Uncles and Aunts

• Thadiyappa (ತಡಿಯಪ್ಪ) – Eldest uncle (ಹಿರಿಯ ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ / ಮಾವ)

• Bojappa (ಬೋಜಪ್ಪ) – Elder paternal uncle / elder maternal aunt’s husband

• Bojavva (ಬೋಜವ್ವ) – Elder paternal uncle’s wife / elder maternal aunt

• Bojimaava (ಬೋಜಿಮಾವ) – Younger paternal uncle

• Bojimaayi (ಬೋಜಿಮಾಯಿ) – Younger maternal aunt

• Balliappa (ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಪ್ಪ) – Eldest paternal uncle

• Balliavva (ಬಳ್ಳಿಯವ್ವ) – Eldest paternal uncle’s wife

• Balliamaava (ಬಳ್ಳಿಮಾವ) – Elder paternal uncle

• Balliamaayi (ಬಳ್ಳಿಮಾಯಿ) – Elder maternal aunt

• Kunjyimaava (ಕುಂಜಿಮಾವ) – Youngest paternal uncle

• Kunjyimaayi (ಕುಂಜಿಮಾಯಿ) – Youngest maternal aunt

• Kunjyiappa (ಕುಂಜಿಯಪ್ಪ) – Younger paternal uncle

• Kunjyiavva (ಕುಂಜಿಯವ್ವ) – Younger paternal uncle’s wife

• Cheriamaava (ಚೇರಿಮಾವ) – Youngest paternal uncle

• Cheriamaayi (ಚೇರಿಮಾಯಿ) – Younger paternal uncle’s wife

• Cheriappa (ಚೇರಿಯಪ್ಪ) – Youngest paternal uncle

• Cheriavva (ಚೇರಿಯವ್ವ) – Youngest paternal uncle’s wife

Parental Siblings

• Thamavi (ತಮವಿ) – Father’s sister (ಅತ್ತೆ)

• Thamai (ತಮಾಯಿ) – Father’s younger sister (ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಅತ್ತೆ)

Step Relations

• Chaakavva (ಚಾಕವ್ವ) – Step mother (ಸವತಿ ತಾಯಿ)

• Chaakappa (ಚಾಕಪ್ಪ) – Step father (ಸವತಿ ತಂದೆ)