Juma Abuyi

Naming Systems Juma Abuyi

IntroductionThis booklet focuses solely on the names and naming of African children. It highlights the rules and processes for naming children and the importance of giving specific names to a child. The Author discusses in detail African naming systems, celebrations, contradictions and the importance of giving meaningful hereditary ancestral ethnic names. To demonstrate this knowledge of how African children are named, the Author presents the naming systems of the Acholi and Dinka from the Republic of South Sudan in East Africa and that of the Congolese of Central Africa. The Author then concludes with the argument that, while the African names and naming systems can be complex and difficult to understand, this knowledge is invaluable for service providers and government bodies. In addition, understanding these names and naming systems will help service providers to understand not only why African names are complex, but that naming systems follow certain norms and rules. This booklet adds knowledge in the area of onomastics and is a valuable resource for specialists, tourists, students, academics and general readers, especially those individuals working and associating with people of African background.