Elder (administrative title)

The term Elder, or its equivalent in another language, is used in several countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority. This usage is usually derived from the notion that the oldest members of any given group are the wisest, and are thus the most qualified to rule, provide counsel or serve the said group in some other capacity. They often serve as oral repositories of their culture's traditional knowledge, morals, and values.^[1]^[2]

Elder systems

Elder is a role in an organised community, and is most common in tribal subsistence cultures, Elderhood is the condition or quality of being an elder, the state of being of advanced age and thus seen in active or passive leadership roles by peers and subordinates alike.

Sometimes, the role is recognised by some ceremonial investiture or milestone, while simpler instances merely select the eldest person relative to all others in a group. Elders are then generally expected to guide those beneath them, share life experiences, foster group unity, and act as spiritual embodiments of their communities.

Informal elderhoods

An example of informal elderhood is the role of the matriarchal grandmother in many parts of the global South. In the absence of a male elder or despite viable males present, grandmothers in these areas tend to be de facto heads for groups of their descendants, and catalysts of periodic reunions and important meetings. They thus provide familial cohesion that would otherwise be absent.

Another example is the vocational mentor, who guides apprentices with tools of sponsorship, advocacy, and skills demonstration. He or she serves to facilitate creativity in apprentices by passing on traditional methods pertaining to their occupation.

Formal elderhoods

In more formal examples, elders serve as the members of a governing and/or advisory body for higher personages, such as kings and presidents, as a council of elders. This often gives them prestige amongst their peoples comparable to classical nobility in Europe. Due to this, elderhood of this variety is generally considered to be an aspirational role in many communities.

In online communities

There are long-established conceptualisations of elders on the Internet. They are typically established individuals who are outbound, often due to unwanted changes they cannot prevent.^[3]

Titles in different cultures

Alderman in systems with Anglo-Saxon origins is synonymous with what may be known elsewhere as a “city councilman”. It derives from the term ealdorman, meaning "elder man".
American Indian elder
Aqsaqal, meaning "white beard" in Turkic languages.
Auncient, deriving from the Norman French noun ancien, signifying "an elder". This has restricted use in English ceremonial orders of precedence, especially in legal circles.
Australian Aboriginal elders are widely respected men and women possessing authority and a deep knowledge of traditional lore. They are consulted on any important aspect of Aboriginal life.
Gerousia, meaning “Council of Elders”, was the Spartan equivalent of a council.
Hor Chan, from Mayan language meaning "Chief of Chan", was a term some Maya used to refer to themselves.
Kaumātua are tribal elders in Māori society.
Oday is the term for elder in the Somali language. Elders hold an important position in Somali society, particularly within the framework of Xeer(Somali customary law) where they act as judges.
Oloye is the title for elders of aristocratic rank among the Yoruba of West Africa, though they usually translate it as chieftain.
Onyishi is a gerontocratic form of government in some parts of Igboland in Nigeria.
Senator, in the Senate of Rome, all senators were men. Senator comes from the Latin root sen- "old" (senex "old man"; compare "senior"), and senators were actually called patres ("fathers").
Seniūnas, the ruler of Eldership, (seniūnija in Lithuanian), Lithuania's smallest administrative division.
Sheikh means "old man" in Arabic. The word has specific cultural and religious connotations as well.
Starosta, derived from Slavic word stary (old), is a title for an official or unofficial position of leadership in various contexts through most of Slavic history (see also: Starets).
Vanem, ancient ruler of an Estonian parish and county. From 1920–1937, the Estonian head of state and head of government was called Riigivanem, meaning "State Elder". Today, county governors are called maavanem and parish mayors vallavanem.
Witan in Anglo-Saxon and other Germanic traditions was a wise man, although usually just a noble. The term is most often used to describe those who convened as the Witenagemot.

References

^ Ikuenobe, Polycarp (2018). "Oral Tradition, Epistemic Dependence, and Knowledge in African Cultures" (PDF). Synthesis Philisophica. 33 (1): 23–40. doi:10.21464/SP33102. S2CID 195540414.
^ Brill de Ramírez, Susan Berry (2015). "The Historical and Literary Role of Folklore, Storytelling, and the Oral Tradition in Native American Literatures". In Madsen, Deborah L. (ed.). The Routledge Companion to Native American Literature. doi:10.4324/9781315777344. ISBN 978-1-317-69319-2.
^ Kim, A. (2000). Community building on the Web: Secret strategies for successful online communities. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press.