Trashing Negative Behaviour through Naming: A Case of Some Manyika Surnames.

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.