2500 African personal names are, in this book, interpreted in some of their various meanings. This book serves as a naming guide as well as an academic presentation on the various aspects of African naming and the several types of names. This book comprehensively illustrates that African names relate to ceremonies and prayers, proverbs, physical and physiological nature of the newborn, mode of birth, number and sequence of offspring, gods and spirits, earthquakes, war, personal and family relationships, neighborhood relationships, bravery, magic, trees and wildlife, livestock, clan affiliation, as well as pestilences and other tragedies. The study of African names truly reveals a lot about black peoples' pains, feelings, and preferences. A variety of sources have been used to compile this book and they include journals and oral interviews. A lot of submerged African wisdom and other information is revealed. Various interpretations and a lot of proverbs which throw stimulating light on the wisdom and meanings of the names are provided. The names depict the sagacity and creativeness of a people during times of both triumph and hopelessness, the historical passing down of sayings through names, and the relatedness of names to nature. A pronunciation guide is provided. The book is relevant to studies on Africa and the African at the onomastic, anthropological, cultural, ethnological, folklore, historical, literary, linguistic, philosophical, psychological, sociological, and ethical levels.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"...very well written and illustrated...book about key African names and their...significance, culturally. ...book is highly recommended..." -- The Griot, Fall 1999, Vol.18, No.2
About the Author
Jonathan Musere has written numerous books and articles on a variety of sociological areas that include American nativism and immigration, disease spread, African culture, African proverbs, and African personal names.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Journal Review Excerpt--"African Names and Naming",
By A Customer
This review is from: African Names and Naming (Paperback)
"Africa is a continent with thousands of cultures, traditions and languages. Names are part and parcel of the enrichedAfrican heritage. African personal names run into thousands, if not millions.... What this book has done is to compile a listing of about 2,500 names from key central, eastern and southern African countries such as Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central african Republic, the two Congos, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.... Not only does this book explain the meaning of the name, but it does so in a concise and straightforward comprehensible manner that the general public would understand. In addition, unlike most other books on the matter, this one spells out the actual and correct pronunciation of each name. In addition, unlike most earlier works, this book goes out of its way to list the Western as well as the traditional spelling of the word. For example, "Nalubale" is the Western phonological way of spelling this name, while "Nnalubale" is its traditional and authentic equivalent. What makes this book most appealing is the authors' personal and cultural connection to Africa and hence, their intimate knowledge of the names and their meaning. In addition, the book is written in a concise and clear-cut language that is devoid of unnecessary jargon. ...Jonathan Musere and Shirley C. yakutaga are highly commended for ingeniously having compiled a very well written and illustrated...book about key African names as well as their basic significance, culturally. This book is highly rcommended for people of the African Diaspora, who for historical and/or cultural reasons may want to adoptsome African names. The book will also be invaluable to Africanists, instructors, and teachers of African Linguistics, Literature, History, and Politics, as well as being a basic introductory dictionary to the extremely rich African heritage. The book will also prove to be handy to business people, expatriates, tourists and journey persons who are interested in or have chosen Africa as their destination of travel and/or work." (Stephen Balyanango Isabirye in "The Griot" Vol. 18, No. 2, Fall 1999).
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Compact Detail of African Naming Practices and Names,
By A Customer
This review is from: African Names and Naming (Paperback)
A medium sized book in which thousands of African names, their ethnic group and country origins, and their pronunciations are treated to detail. Through the introduction, and the name interpretations, it is shown that names and naming practices in Africa are intimately linked to items like family issues, disappointment, anger, happiness, religion, birth order, demeanor of mother or child, clan group, occupation of the parents, proverbs, etc. The book serves those interested in African names, culture, and proverbs; very good for the general reader and one who is into research on African culture. The book is carefully crafted and heavily referenced. The authors must have devoted a lot of time to putting together literary as well as oral information. Many books on African names are rather simplistic. Some of the names found in this book: Thembi (trust), Sibusiso (blessing), Sepsi (mercy), Simomo (patience), Tayari (ready), Tankiso/ Tebogo(gratitude), Musango (accusation), Lugo (leopard), Lerato (love), Azimio (political declaration), Mayinja (stones), Uhuru (freedom), Umot (a first born), Muguzi (buyer), Mukama (Lord).
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