Giving Names (Shona Culture, Zimbabwe....)

Giving Names part 1 (Shona Culture, ) 

Among the Shona speaking people of Zimbabwe giving names holds a very special place among them. It is something that no one can do unless authority has been given to that person. If one has given that chance, name it opportunity to name a child, he or she is supposed to be a person whose moral and values are held highly. A person who is a worthy model. In Shona family set up, people like Grandparents, Uncles and Aunties play a very important role as far as naming children is concerned. Thus, their legacy will be left behind to be passed from generation to another.

I remember a friend of mine Tobias Tawanda Hombarume during my secondary school days. He like to be called by his native name Tawanda not Tobias his baptism name. Many a times he would scold people who would like to use Tobias whilst calling him. I later understood that Tawanda was his name that his late grandfather gives him.  His grandfather had the same name. In Shona "Tawanda" means "we are many. Here are list of common Shona names.

Name	Meaning	Sex
Sekai	Laugh	Female
Hazvinei	It doesnt matter	Female
Tapiwa	We are given	Female/Male
Tapera	We are finished	Male
Tarisai	Look	Male
Chipo	Gift	Female/Male
Sarudzai	Choose	Female/Male
Nyasha	Mercy/Grace	Female/Male
Kudakwashe	The Will of God	Female/Male
Kudzai	Respect	Female
Ngoni	Mercy/Grace	Male
Tonderai/Rangarirai	Remember	Male

Note:  For more information about the Shona speaking people; http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Shona.html

by Musimwa