See what power a name wields?
I used to hear people’s surnames mentioned very often. At home, I was rarely called by my first name.
By Brian Mutebi
I used to hear people’s surnames mentioned very often. At home, I was rarely called by my first name.
Everybody called me by my surname. At school, it was the same trend.
Names have ethnic roots. Particular ethnic groups in Uganda have peculiar naming criteria. Baganda, for example, give names according to clan totems. A mere mention of a name will tell which clan a person belongs to.
People are also named according to the situation that prevailed when they were in their mothers’ womb or when they were born — stability, instability, parents’ experiences or what the parents believed in or wanted their child to be when grew up — all influenced the name choice.
Parents also gave their children proverbial names. A child born in times of trouble would be named Bizibu (problems), Naku (destitute). If there was instability in the family, the child would be named “Zansanze†(already in problems), Nabigumira (I am used to problems)... If a child preceding baby died, they would name the newly born baby Byekwaso ( meaning that though you exist, the one who died would be a better person). Other names included Tezikyabiri (can’t have two consecutive good days, Basaija, (men are strong), Zikusooka (it is fine to have problems in early life). Cases of names like Muwanguzi (victor), Kisa (Grace) Sanyu (Joy) were very rare!
Mzee Dorotia Nakiwolo, 75, of Kikandwa, Ssingo, says all his 12 children have proverbial names. “A name must have a meaning. “It reminds you of the past, what you went through and what your son should be. Some names teach patience, others, character.â€
However, the trend is changing. Whereas totemic names still exist, traditional proverbial names are fading away. Some people refer to such names as “botanical names†Cases of “I am called Sarah, Margie...†are now common.
It is believed names bring blessings or misfortunes. Someone can be successful, perpetually in problems, hardships, a failure or successful, depending on his name. This belief alienates most of the situational names that used to be common.
People believe that a person called Bizibu will have problems all his life, while Muwanguzi will always be victorious. One lady blamed her parents for naming her Zansanze because she always had problems in her marriage.
It is believed that once one changes such a name, everything changes. Misfortunes becomes fortunes.
Pastor Joseph Sserwadda of Victory Church Ndeeba attests to this. He says he used to be called Byekwaso and he had problems but when he dropped the name, he became a happy, successful man.
The trend of changing and changing names to “good†ones is common, especially among born-again Christians. Names such as Muwanguzi, Grace, Mukisa (Blessing), Tendo (Praise), Asobola (He is able), and Buyinzika (Possible), Kwagala (Love) are now common.
Psychologists say what you believe affects you. If you are biased about your name, most likely misfortunes will come your way. You will always lack self-motivation and ambition. Likewise, a person who believes his name is good will always feel good and be successful. Keturah Kamugasa, a writer and teacher on image, attitude and self-esteem, says people should mind about self-perception and attitudes. One should be positive as this builds self-esteem. “Look at yourself as beautiful and appreciate yourself,†she says.
The Bible says, “Man sees in the world what he carries in his heartâ€.
Precaution should be taken when changing names. Get legal advice. Your first academic papers, for instance, could indicate a different person from who you are today. Ever heard of people who are dragged out of Parliament because of academic papers?
I used to hear people’s surnames mentioned very often. At home, I was rarely called by my first name.
Everybody called me by my surname. At school, it was the same trend.
Names have ethnic roots. Particular ethnic groups in Uganda have peculiar naming criteria. Baganda, for example, give names according to clan totems. A mere mention of a name will tell which clan a person belongs to.
People are also named according to the situation that prevailed when they were in their mothers’ womb or when they were born — stability, instability, parents’ experiences or what the parents believed in or wanted their child to be when grew up — all influenced the name choice.
Parents also gave their children proverbial names. A child born in times of trouble would be named Bizibu (problems), Naku (destitute). If there was instability in the family, the child would be named “Zansanze†(already in problems), Nabigumira (I am used to problems)... If a child preceding baby died, they would name the newly born baby Byekwaso ( meaning that though you exist, the one who died would be a better person). Other names included Tezikyabiri (can’t have two consecutive good days, Basaija, (men are strong), Zikusooka (it is fine to have problems in early life). Cases of names like Muwanguzi (victor), Kisa (Grace) Sanyu (Joy) were very rare!
Mzee Dorotia Nakiwolo, 75, of Kikandwa, Ssingo, says all his 12 children have proverbial names. “A name must have a meaning. “It reminds you of the past, what you went through and what your son should be. Some names teach patience, others, character.â€
However, the trend is changing. Whereas totemic names still exist, traditional proverbial names are fading away. Some people refer to such names as “botanical names†Cases of “I am called Sarah, Margie...†are now common.
It is believed names bring blessings or misfortunes. Someone can be successful, perpetually in problems, hardships, a failure or successful, depending on his name. This belief alienates most of the situational names that used to be common.
People believe that a person called Bizibu will have problems all his life, while Muwanguzi will always be victorious. One lady blamed her parents for naming her Zansanze because she always had problems in her marriage.
It is believed that once one changes such a name, everything changes. Misfortunes becomes fortunes.
Pastor Joseph Sserwadda of Victory Church Ndeeba attests to this. He says he used to be called Byekwaso and he had problems but when he dropped the name, he became a happy, successful man.
The trend of changing and changing names to “good†ones is common, especially among born-again Christians. Names such as Muwanguzi, Grace, Mukisa (Blessing), Tendo (Praise), Asobola (He is able), and Buyinzika (Possible), Kwagala (Love) are now common.
Psychologists say what you believe affects you. If you are biased about your name, most likely misfortunes will come your way. You will always lack self-motivation and ambition. Likewise, a person who believes his name is good will always feel good and be successful. Keturah Kamugasa, a writer and teacher on image, attitude and self-esteem, says people should mind about self-perception and attitudes. One should be positive as this builds self-esteem. “Look at yourself as beautiful and appreciate yourself,†she says.
The Bible says, “Man sees in the world what he carries in his heartâ€.
Precaution should be taken when changing names. Get legal advice. Your first academic papers, for instance, could indicate a different person from who you are today. Ever heard of people who are dragged out of Parliament because of academic papers?