Abstract:
This paper argues that anthroponyms are an important living heritage aspect that
serves as an identity tag that each human being is conferred with, after birth and
in the course of life’s journey. These names, the paper posits, are a product of the
social environment within which each being is located and exists. It additionally
observes that the Shona like most sane human beings everywhere deplore bad
behaviour and see it as necessary to remind possible offenders of the negative
consequences of such obnoxious and nefarious deeds. Therefore, noting that
names are an important part of indigenous ways of communicating values, this
paper discusses some selected Manyika surnames, highlighting the values
through nicknames that the identified group holds dear. It observes that through
names people, especially the young ones learn and continue to acquire valuable
knowledge that reminds them and entrenches the idea that acts like drunkenness,
inexplicable fear and laziness were and continue to be frowned at. Through some
selected names the essay unpacks each name and attempts to critically examine
some meanings in some instances that may be hidden in them or where there are
none, emphasize what was seen as important that led to some family heads being
described through such eke names. The article concludes by pointing out that
such a practice of underscoring distaste for adverse behaviour has continued up
to this day and is realized even in some nicknames that those who seek public
office are conferred with, especially when they resort to the use of violent means
to get into political positions.
