Nghilifa yaTaneni

#Afrikafirst
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[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

Because of time and space, I will not be able to write down all the names and give you all the contexts and the nuances in which they were created. For all other names and categories of Oshiwambo names, you can get my book on close to 1000 Oshiwambo names and meanings for N$350.

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

It is quite evident that the war had a unique imprint on our naming landscapes, one that will be forever etched in our history because names are never forgotten. They are given to the names-sakes and most names have become surnames.

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

stand up and fight, hit the enemy) and there are names given to soldiers because they were good at using their weapons, Namundjebo (carrior of guns) Kanalelo(an accurate shooter, after onalelo-scope on a gun).

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

at the time of the (liberation) struggle. Some children were named, Nalimanguluke, which means let it(the nation) be free. And then there were names willing young men and women to take up arms and fight. Homateni, Kondjeni, Fikameni ,Denga o xxxx( wear your weapons, fight,

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

Names such as Naita/ Heita Iita, from the Oshiwambo word Iita, which means the child was born at a time of war. Tweufilwa,Oshiike, Mulipeni (left alone in the world after the death of many people/relatives) Shalulile- things went horribly bad/sour. Mekondjo, which means born

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

of death, destruction, battles, exile, sorrows, tears, displacements, and aloneness, they depicted the dangerous times that the children were born into and created a type of oral history for us all to remember.

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

she came to care for the shepherds). Now war came to our lands and children were born at this time. Just like they did in the past, our ancestors looked at the circumstances surrounding the war as an inspiration for the names that they would give their children. The names spoke

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

want to emulate their name everytime they hear it called. Girls and women are usually expected to be loving, nurturing, caregivers of the family and as such are given names such a Tulela(look after us) Wilika(guide us) Keyakutwa(she came to pound mielies) or Namupa aasita

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

their boy children. So they give the following names to their boy children Hailonga(a hard worker),Kanuwanjubu(cannot be tackled),Haulofu(no laziness), Hamuata(Carrier of weapons), Nghidengwa( I will not be beaten). For this reason, boy children also grow in confidence and

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

Aawambo also believe that Edina Ekogidho, which means that you become your name or you become your namesake. For this reason, Fathers always want their boy children to grow up to be tough, brave, hardworking individuals, qualities that Oshiwambo fathers highly revere amongst

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

Children born when it is raining Nadula- From the Oshiwambo word odula-Rain. Children born in the spring- Akwenye- From the Oshiwambo word Okwenye-Spring. Children born at at a time when there was a wedding in the family- Hango- From the Oshiwambo word Ohango-wedding.

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

Children born in the morning are named. Nangula(feminine)/Angula(Masculine) from the Oshiwambo word Ongula-Morning time. Children born in the afternoon, Namutenya/Hamuntenya , from the Oshiwambo word Omutenya- Afternoon etc

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

it was a taboo to give a child a name before birth. It was also a taboo to make odikwa(a baby carrier) before the child is born. Everything is done, after birth.

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

Firstly, Oshiwambo names, like most African names are ever evolving and are influenced by the changing landscape around them. Whenever a child is born and a name is sought, inspiration for the new name is drawn from the circumstances surrounding the birth. In the olden days,

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

On Independence day, I wrote about the effect the war had on Oshiwambo names. I just want to further elaborate on that and dive a little deeper into this topic

[Nghilifa yaTaneni @NYataneni]

@Pandus_reign Congrats! I already have it, but I hope to see more Namibian authors on amazon etc in the future. Great job 👏🏾

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

And we are liiive and in colour 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳. We officially published on Amazon now baby . Namibians in the diaspora can now order my book online and it can be delivered to their doorstep 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

I need to find a way to get Namibians in the diaspora to buy that book…aswell as African Americans who want to explore African naming traditions as a way to reconnecting back to Africa.

[Mandume fudu @Pandus_reign]

Good morning guys, a lot of you guys bought and read my book. Please go and give it a star rating and leave a comment . It improves its algorithm/visibilty which in turn helps me sell copies . Thanks 😊 🙏🏽

https://t.co/NlFgP0Rbd7

[Nghilifa yaTaneni @NYataneni]

@SundayShoutsFC Magnificent freekick indeed.