Traditional African Names

by Jonathan Musere (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0810836433

ISBN-10: 0810836432

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African names are elaborately structured and contain more than one possible interpretation of meaning. They can associate one with family, location, and occupation. Many commemorate major occurrences or traditions of the culture. The range of significance is broad, making an understanding of African names not just a valuable personal tool, but also a study aid to African culture and traditions.

Traditional African Names considers primarily countries around the African Lakes such as Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zaire, and Zimbabwe, but a wide variety of names from other southern African countries are included as well. Using thousands of detailed examples, the book identifies the genesis and evolution in African name formation and meaning. Many of the 6,000 names (complete with pronunciation guidelines) are treated in English for the first time. Each entry discusses the origins of the name, its meaning, and the wide cultural and social connotations of its use, as well as variations and differences in the meanings of similar words used in related ethnic contexts. This analysis provides a unique reservoir of information concerning migration, assimilation, and cultural cross-connection.

Review

Until the publication of this book, it was extremely difficult to find any volume that collects and defines the meanings of the African names in English...This book is highly recommended for scholars and students of African anthropology, linguistics, literature, history and politics, as well as anyone interested in learning more about an important aspect of African Culture. ― African Studies Quarterly

The 6,000 examples are fascinating to read, and will most certainly open up a new area in the field of nomenclature...This index is an impressive volume and should fill a large void in the area of etymology. It is highly recommended. ― American Reference Books Annual

...what distinguishes this book from previous ones is its simplicity in name descriptions and definitions. The alphabetical listings of these names as well as its well-prepared index will be very helpful to those who are not familiar with African appellations. This book is highly recommended for scholars and students of African anthropology, linguistics, literature, history and politics as well as those in the African/Black diaspora who are interested in learning more about African culture. ― Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security

Musere has produced an informative volume that will be of use to students and scholars of Africa for years to come. ― International Journal of African Historical Studies

His introduction is a splendidly informative essay...Musere's book is packed with information and it is easy to consult. ― Library Review

About the Author

Jonathan Musere (M.A., UCLA) has worked in a broad range of disciplines, including Afro-American Studies and Environmental Studies. His other books have treated the cultural and political significance of the African sleeping sickness.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scarecrow Press (December 15, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810836432
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810836433
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.28 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.64 x 1.11 x 8.7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,181,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,289 in African History (Books)
- #2,222 in Geography (Books)
- #10,201 in Anthropology (Books)

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Osa Ogbe

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2016

Verified Purchase

Lot of names just not from the culture I was seeking (Yoruba and Akan).

One person found this helpful

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Jane Smith

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2017

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Great

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Stephen Isabirye

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN NAMES

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2000

Until the publication of this book, it has been extremely difficult to find any primer that collects and defines the meanings of African names in English. Africa is a continent with thousands of cultures, traditions and languages. Names are part and parcel of the enriched African tradition. Unlike other parts of the world, virtually every African indigenous name has a distinct meaning or connotation. African personal names run into the thousands, if not millions. Therefore, it would be next to impossible to compile a comprehensive thesaurus of all these names, let alone their synonyms. The book compiles about 6000 names from key central, eastern and southern African countries, such as Burundi, Congo-Kinshasa, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Although the compilation of African names is not entirely a new phenomenon, what distinguishes this book from previous ones is its simplicity in name descriptions and definitions. This volume looks at the in-depth meaning of indigenous as well as adopted African names. African personal names have multitudinous functions such as the association of one's occupation, habits and personality. Many African names emanate from one's ancestry through clan, ethnic/tribal or religious affiliation. Names can also be named as the result of ancient wars and conquests. Since most of these names emanate from the "Bantuphone" region of east, central and southern Africa, it is not uncommon for many of these names to have a similar meaning albeit different pronounciations. A word such as Muntu connotes a person, but actually is derived from the ancestry of people in this region. It is therefore least surprising that the word, "ntu" is common amongst most ethnic groups in the region. For example, a word such as "Gahungu" which denotes a small or young boy, has a similar connotation amongsts the Hutu, Tutsi, as well as the Twa ethnic groups of Rwanda and Burundi. The author also includes new African words that have been adopted from Western political as well as cultural contexts. For example, the word, "Democracy" in most African contexts is pronounced as, "Demokrasi." Like other African names given to people during a certain historical phenomenon, this word has been given to some newborns born during the current democratic struggle on the continent. The alphabetical listings of these names as well as its well-prepared index will be very helpful to those that are not familiar with African appellations. This book is highly recommended for scholars and students of African anthropology, linguistics, literature, history, politics as well as those in the African/Black diaspora that are very interested in learning more about African culture.

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Traditional African Names