Cushi
The word Cushi or Kushi (Hebrew: כּוּשִׁי Hebrew pronunciation: [kuˈʃi] colloquial: [ˈkuʃi]) is generally used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to a dark-skinned person of African descent, equivalent to Greek Αἰθίοψ "Aithíops".[citation needed]
Etymology and biblical use
The word is a derivation of Cush (כּוּשׁ Kūš), referring to the ancient Kingdom of Kush which was centered on the Upper Nile and Nubia (modern-day Sudan). Mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, Cushites are considered descendants of Noah's grandson, Cush the son of Ham. In biblical and historical usage, the term "Cushites" (Hamites) refers to individuals of East African origin (Horn of Africa and Sudan).[1]
Modern use
In early Modern Hebrew usage, the term Cushi was used as an unmarked referent to a dark-skinned or red-haired person, without derogatory implications.[2] For example, it is the nickname, or term of endearment, of the Israeli commando of Yemenite extraction, Shimon "Kushi" Rimon (b. 1939).[3][4][5] When
In contemporary usage, the term can be regarded as an
In 2016, Hasidic singer Mordechai Ben David attracted controversy after a video taken at his December 28 concert in Jerusalem, wherein he referred to US President Barack Obama as a kushi, was circulated online.[9][10]
See also
- Cushite woman on Hebrew Wikipedia
- Cushitic languages
- Racism in Jewish communities
- Schvartze
- Zipporah, wife of Moses, depending on interpretation described as "Cushite" in the Bible
References
- ^ ISBN 0-415-22501-9.
- ^ "חדשות - דעות - רוביק רוזנטל nrg - ...הזירה הלשונית: אל תקרא". www.makorrishon.co.il.
- ^ Weintraub, Ellis (February 27, 2007). "Blaze destroys Arava landmark". Jerusalem Post.
- ^ "News in Brief". Haaretz. May 3, 2002.
- ^ "אחרי שאמרו לו שהכל נגמר, כושי רימון ניצח את הסרטן וחזר לחיים".
- ^ אשכנזי, יאיר (15 March 2015). "איך נהפך אותלו של שייקספיר לאיתיאל הכושי?" – via Haaretz.
- ^ a b "Is 'Kushim' a Racist Israeli Term for Blacks?". The Forward. June 15, 2014.
- ^ Tarnopolsky, Noga (March 4, 2014). "No, an Israeli mayor did not just call black basketball players the N-word". The World. Agence France-Presse.
- ^ Moore, Jack (2017-01-04). "Popular Jewish singer makes racial slur against Obama at Jerusalem concert". Newsweek. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
- ^ "Hasidic singer Mordechai Ben David slams Obama with racial slur at Jerusalem concert". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2022-03-02.