Studia Ethnologica Pragensia (Jun 2023)
Songs of separation, non-recognition and reuniting
Abstract
There are a significant number of songs with a ‘broken motif ’, that they are seen as their own category or type of song. But to what extent is the idea of two young people splitting an object and keeping half each, seen as declaration of their undying love? And to what extent are the practical means of recognition after a period of separation, in a world preceding the camera and lacking (for most) even a portrait of one’s nearest and dearest? Since the advent of advanced software coupled with heightened security at airports and the use of CCTV in crime work, much research has been done and continues to be done on facial (and body) recognition by machines. Comparatively little has been done on the ability, or lack, of humans to recognise even those who were previously close to them after the passing of medium to long periods of time. The present study was ignited by an event in my own family within the current millennium, where upon arrival at their doorstep a son was not recognised by his parents after a space of around 10 years (in the former’s middle age). To what extent is this extreme? Is it possible that the relatively large number of ‘broken token’ folksongs suggests evidence that loss/lack of recognition of others once romantically closely engaged with was a ‘common’ or ‘usual’ phenomenon, or is it maybe just a great theme for a story?
