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Cothromachadh

/kɔRəməxəɣ/

Authors

Raghnaid Sandilands

Languages

Gaelic

Location

Loch Ness

See Also

Climate Spiritual
The act of balancing, finding equilibrium. The root of this term is the word 'cothrom' meaning ‘chance’ or ‘fair play.’ 'Cothrom' itself is made up of two words, 'comh' and 'trom', literally meaning ‘of equal weight’ and by extension ‘opportunity’ and/or ‘equity’. This term acknowledges that there needs to be just chance or fair opportunity for all if there is to be balance.

Further Reading

Cothrom na Fèinne – a fair chance on the Scottish Parliament website

Text

In the context of the climate crisis, seeking ecological balance must be a just and fair process that acknowledges and understands the profound interrelationship between land, all living things, people, language and culture (see biolinguistic diversity).

 

The phrase Cothrom na Fèinne means ‘a fair hearing’ or ‘fair chance’. The phrase na Fèinne means ‘of the Fingalians’. The Fingalians were a mythological band of roving warriors led by a hero called Fingal (or in Gaelic, Fionn). Tales of their adventures were once very popular in Gaelic-speaking areas of Scotland and Ireland, surviving in the oral tradition to be recorded in the 20th century. In this context, the phrase means a chance of a fair fight in battle.

Media

Publication by poet James MacPherson based on the Fingalian tales, Image: Scottish Parliament

Questions & Provocations

How do you recognise when equilibrium has been achieved for people and place?
Aoife Nolan
How do you measure balance in your actions?
Aoife Nolan