Екlу/емыкlу (Appropriate/Inappropriate)

It is very interesting to know whether my followers, especially the younger ones, are familiar with such profound Adyghe concepts as “екlу” and “емыкlу”.

I have no doubt that they are well known to our older generation. But has everyone managed to pass these ancient, fundamental concepts on to their children?

I sincerely hope so, because these terms were once so comprehensive and significant that any person doing something improper would immediately stop upon hearing the strict word “емыкlу” from an elder. On the other hand, the word “екlу” spoken by a respected person would give additional strength to the one whose actions earned such approval.

So, what exactly did these two short but capacious terms — “емыкlу” and “екlу” — mean? I will not try to be original, but instead will quote a person who knew Adyghe Khabze far better than I do — the deeply respected and now late (may the Almighty have mercy on him) Barasbi Bgazhnokov:

“Емыкlу is a general expression for what is indecent, improper, and inappropriate in behavior. It is used to describe foul language, excessively loud laughter, a swaggering posture or gait, untidiness in clothing, gluttony, greed, talkativeness, and so on.

The term екlу has the exact opposite meaning — decent, proper, tactful, and harmonious. It encompasses the entire diversity of morally fulfilling actions, reflects a correct orientation within a given situation, and denotes a proper, morally justified choice of behavioral means and methods.

The antithesis of екlу-емыкlу covers the entire sphere, the entire multicolored palette of the decent and the indecent, the moral and the immoral.”

Do you use the terms “екlу” and “емыкlу” in raising your children, dear followers?