Names

I find myself saying peoples names over and over. Partly because I am trying to pronounce them correctly. To say them right. And partly because they are unique and beautiful.

Perpetua. Petronilla. Talent. Blessing. Rudo (Love). Tsitsi (Mercy). Tinotinda (we are thankful). Gloria. Nobukle. Gandencia. Locardia. Ivy. Rosemary. Nvongai. Rumbudzai. Marita. Rivharisi. Miriam. Emelda. Chipo. Tecla. Alice. Farai. Sasekhani.

Blessed. Hilario. Brighton. Maxwell. Ruben. Hugo. Job. Moses. Tsuarai. Tafera. Godfrey. Norman. Lucas. Patrick. Ian. Phineas. Remigio. Simon. Chidhakwa. Clever. Tomsmanga. Joshua. Lazarus. Augustine. Celestino. Liberty. Joseph. Agreement. Tichouna.

And the last names: Wunganai. Murambiwa. Mawere. Mwisai. Nyuke. Chiwani. Dhona. Takaidza. Mapuvire. Njovo. Tengo. Chipangwa. Sibanda. Hwata. Chitsere. Madondo. Chasuvache. Khosa. Munjanja. Matandere. Dhiba. Rangwa. Denwede. Makupe. Mhosva. Mugarisi. Makupe. Rafemayo. Utawashe. Chagweda. Chagweza. Tavera. Madondo. Shumba. Moyo. Hovi. Gumbo. Mombe.

And places: Siyahokwe. Mhende. Chengwena. Hama. Nyatongue. Chaka.

Here, children are usually given a ‘Christian’ or English name and also a Shona name, and then of course, they also take the Surname of their family. For example, you might name your child, Rachel Rudo Utawashe.

Also each family has a ‘totem’ name. It is a name that has been passed down through the fathers family and is thought to be an indigenous tradition that prevented close family units from intermarrying. Usually the totem is an animal or part of the body. Common ones I have noticed: Mombe (cow), Gumbo (leg), Moyo (Heart), Shumba (Lion). It has been said that in past Shona culture, two people of the same totem were never allowed to marry unless special permission was granted and a special ceremony to appease the ancestral spirits was performed.