SOME TUMBUKA FORENAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS.
The Tumbuka people are an ethnic group found in Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. In Zambia, they are one of the major tribal groupings found in the Eastern Province. The language of the Tumbuka people is referred to as “Chitumbuka”.
As is the case with many other African societies, the names that the Tumbuka people give their children are usually based on the different circumstances and events that surround the birth of the child, these include; manner of the birth, happiness, fertility, bad occurrences, order of birth and so on. In some instances forenames are given to infants in memory of dead family member such as a sibling, parent or grandparent. Sometimes the characteristics that parents observe from the child at birth also play a role in determining the name.
Some of the common Tumbuka names are as follows:
KAMNTHOWA: This name means “of the path or travel”. It is a name given to a baby who was born while the mother was travelling on a journey.
TOWERA: This particular name is derived from the word “kutowa”, which means “to shine”. It implies beauty and a pleasant appearance. It is given to a female child who looks beautiful. For the parents, this would be an indirect way of boasting to members of the community over having received such a beautiful girl. It is presumed that bearers of this name usually grow up with self-confidence which was instilled in them by the name.
TOWANI: The name means “you shine”. It is more of a directive to someone, telling them to shine. This name carries the same connotations as “Towera”, but is given to a physically handsome baby boy. It is meant to show how proud a family is to have received such a handsome child.
WALUSUNGU: The name “Walusungu” means “the merciful one”.It is given to a child born to a woman or couple that has had various bad encounters prior to having a baby. The name entails that it is the mercy of God that the child has finally come.
TAONGA: This name means “We Thank You”. It is used to show gratitude to God for giving the parents the child. It is a common name for girls that were born through forced labour, caesarian birth or other complications during birth.
KONDWANI: This name means “Be Happy”. The name is meant to urge the parents to the new born to embrace their child because children are a gift and a source of joy.
FUMBANI: This name means “ask”. The name is given as a sort of sarcastic retort by a mother to members of the community who may have been constantly asking her when she would conceive or finally give her husband a child. After giving birth she tells them to “ask her now”. The name is also meant to boast about her achievement after putting her “enemies” to shame. These “enemies” being in-laws, relatives, neighbors, community members and/or co-wives (in case of a polygamous marriage) who may have mocked her for not having a child.
TAPIWA: This name means “We have been given” This is to urge people to look at a child as a gift from God regardless of what characteristics they baby is born with. This name was used in cases where the baby may have been born with disabilities and they didn’t want the baby to be discriminated against like in the old days when children born with disabilities were treated as bad omens. It is all about accepting what God has given.
BALIJEKWAO. This name means “they have no home”. This name was given to babies born to parents who have no home or cannot trace their origins or village.
CHAWEZI: This name means “Gift”. It was given by parents as a way of showing appreciation to God for the baby who has been born.
These are just a small selection of some Tumbuka forenames. Feel free to comment in the comment’s section below on the other Tumbuka forenames you know and their meaning.
(By Zambian Footprints)