The Indians have different terms for paternal and maternal relationship in their language. which the British lack. For example, according to our customs our father’s younger brother is called Kaka and his wife is called Kaki, Similarly, our father’s elder brother is called Mota Bapuji (Ada) and his wife is called Motaba. But according to the British relationship terminology both Kaka and Mota Bapuji is referred as Uncle. Kaki and Motaba is referred as Aunt (Auntie).
Instead of using Uncle-Auntie or Cousin the following biological index would be helpful for our younger generation, born or brought up in this country, to learn and understand our way of addressing the relations. It will enhance the real meaning of our relations which will be helpful in retaining the richness of our traditional cultural unity and its values.
| Relation | Meaning |
| Ada (Mota Bapuji) | Father’s elder brother |
| Baa (Maa) | Mother |
| Bahen | Sister |
| Banevi (Jeejaji) | Sister’s husband (applicable to both husband and wife) |
| Bapuji (Pitaji) | Father |
| Bhai | Elder or younger brother |
| Bhabhi | Elder or Younger brother’s wife |
| Bhanej | Sister’s son or daughter |
| Bhatrija | Brother’s son (nephew) |
| Bhatriji | Brother’s daughter (niece) |
| Dada | Grandfather |
| Dadima | Grandmother |
| Der (Diyaar)* | Husband’s younger brother |
| Derani* | Husband’s younger brother’s wife |
| Dikro (Putra) | Son |
| Dikri (Putri) | Daughter |
| Fai (Faibaa) | Father’s sister |
| Fuaa | Father’s sister’s husband |
| Jamai | Son-in-law |
| Jeth* | Husband’s elder brother |
| jethani* | Husband’s elder brother’s wife |
| Kaka | Father’s younger brother |
| Kaki | Father’s younger brother’s wife |
| Mama | Mother’s elder or younger brother |
| Mami | Mother’s elder or younger brother’s wife |
| Masa | Mother’s elder or younger sister’s husband |
| Masi | Mother’s elder or younger sister |
| Motaba | Father’s elder brother’s wife |
| Motabapu | Father’s elder brother |
| Nanabapu | Mother’s father |
| Nanimma | Mother’s Mother |
| Nannand* | Husband’s elder or younger sister |
| Nanndoya* | Husband’s elder or younger sister’s husband |
| Patti | Husband |
| Pattani | Wife |
| Sala | Wife’s elder or younger brother |
| Sali | Wife’s elder or younger sister |
| Sadhubhai | Wife’s elder or younger sister’s husband |
| Sasara | Spouse’s father (applicable to both husband and wife) |
| Sasu | Spouse’s mother (applicable to both husband and wife) |
| Var* | Husband |
| Vahu | Daughter-in-law |
| Vevai | Son or Daughter-in-law’s father |
| Vevaan | Son or Daughter-in-law’s mother |
* Applicable to married women only
JI – Suffix of respect when addressing the spouse’s relatives (i.e. Kakaji, Mamaji, Fuaaji)
This article originally appeared in the Federation of Sri Bardai Brahmin Samajs UK Diwali Souvenir 2002 Directory. Sri Bardai Brahmin Samaj (Leicester) UK is grateful to Mr Anantbhai J Dave from London (UK) for granting permission to reproduce it on bardaionline.
Source of Information: History of the Indians of E. A.
Anant J Dave (Founder President of Bardai Brahmin Samnaj – London)