Dr Ted Msipa
Introduction
A name is something all of us cherish because it signifies our relevance and importance. I cut my corporate teeth in a Commercial Bank and one of the greatest challenges I used to encounter was the failure to pronounce customers’ names appropriately. It would enrage them a great deal. This bothered me a lot until I learnt to master not only the names but also their pronunciations.
Something about names
The question in your mind is possibly, “What is a name?” A name is a birth mark or possibly a signature of your identity. A name could be a sign of your accomplishments and conquests as in the Middle East. A name is simply a set of words which are frequently and regularly used to identify you. Names carry deep cultural, historical and bloodline meanings.
The Ghana name set-up
I always wondered why my Ghanaian friends had so many multi-barreled names until a dear sister shared some insights. The thing with Ghana is that people have a religious name, whether Christian or Islam; then there is a traditional name. This can be followed by the name of the day they were born such as Kofi, if one was born on Sunday. Then there is also a clan name which can be completed by one’s father’s name. Other names are also determined by one’s origins; whether they are from the North or the South.
Zimbabwe and its names
Names in Zimbabwe are also very interesting. They are sometimes referenced to an event. People born on Christmas day may be named Xmas, or Kisimusi. Those born on a Sunday may be named Sunday or Svondo. Some of the most unique names are for Zimbabweans, such as Loveness, Lovemore, Kissmore, and Nomore among others. Shona names include Zvapano, Fungai, Tendayi, Farai, Tatenda and Takudzwa among others. The most hilarious names in Zimbabwe will include COVID, Pandemic, Sanitiser, Nomatter, Laughter, and Povo. I guarantee you, there are so many COVID babies in Zimbabwe.
How about Zambian names
The Zambian set up is quite interesting. It gets a bit deeper. A person may be from the Mwanza clan, let us make a case for two brothers with two sons. Let us assume that they choose to call the sons after their late father Frankson Lunga. The family may need to clarify which son is being spoken about. The Zambian system allows for cross-referencing the children to their fathers names. So let us assume the first child’s father is a former banker, and the second child’s father was a bag maker. So, the first child can now be called Frankson Lunga Makwacha. For the record Kwacha is the Zambian currency. The second person will be called Frankson Lunga Chola. These two guys are still cousins.
Names in The Mountain Kingdom
In Lesotho, the patriarchal naming system is in place. That means children are usually named after relatives especially in the nuclear family. A father may choose to name one of his daughters after his old auntie maybe like Moliehi, Lineo and Ntaoleng. In Lesotho family names should not die. Circumstantial naming is also present in Lesotho, for example where a family has three sons and then they have a daughter, she will be called Ntsoaki. If a boy is born after girls he is called Nthithi or Mohlatsi. However, the name Mohlatsi can also be given to a last born. Also when a person is a lady but born during the rainy season she is called ‘Mapula. A man born soon after the drought, is called Motlalepula (Rainmaker).
It is important to love your name, it is who you are. Cherish and celebrate others too. Lest we forget, we are a people because of our identity.
Dr Ted Msipa is Pastor, Author, Visionary and Public Speaker based in Maseru, Lesotho. He writes here in his personal capacity and view shared here do not necessarily reflect those of Africa News 24. Dr Ted can be reached on Coachted117@gmail.com
