Dual principles and binary oppositions in Soqotri social and oral traditions

Abstract

This article seeks to provide a conceptual framework for the binary oppositions regularly met within the archaic stratum of Soqotri oral literature. An analysis of texts the authors have collected and translated, which possess a demonstrably mythological character leads to the conclusion that these oppositions function as an organizational principle, a matrix, for building the textual structure. The binary oppositions and duality of substances, objects, protagonists (humans and animals), and other elements can be compared to the duality-based social structure in a great number of Soqotran tribes, a structure reflected in their tribal legends. Three original Soqotri texts of a clearly mythological character that support this conclusion are included here.