Naming Patterns among Northern Sotho, Xitsonga and Tshivenda Communities of SA: Religio-cultural Perspective

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/8010

Keywords:

South African communities, naming patterns, indigenous names, African cultural heritage

Abstract

This study discusses naming patterns and practices of three South African indigenous groups as representative examples, namely Northern Sotho, Xitsonga and Tshivenda, from a religio-cultural perspective. In almost every African culture and tradition, newly-born babies receive their names immediately after birth. Names are usually predetermined when the mother is pregnant. Although in numerous instances the parents are responsible for naming the baby, family members (e.g., aunts, grandparents, brothers, or sisters) may also suggest a name. The naming of babies is not a random exercise because religio-cultural meanings are attached to a name. By utilising a narrative approach as a method, the article argues that indigenous names carry meanings, and each name tells a story. The study aims at demonstrating that names play a significant role in the preservation, documentation and promotion of cultural heritage. The discussion commences by exploring naming patterns from a biblical perspective in order to provide a matrix for a religio-cultural thrust of child-naming within the aforementioned South African indigenous groups.

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Author Biographies

Prof Mokgale A. Makgopa , University of Venda

Dean, School of Human and Social Sciences

Temba T. Rugwiji, University of South Africa

Resarch Fellow, Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies, University of South Africa

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Published

2022-01-25

How to Cite

Makgopa, Mokgale, and Temba T. Rugwiji. 2021. “Naming Patterns Among Northern Sotho, Xitsonga and Tshivenda Communities of SA: Religio-Cultural Perspective”. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 47 (3):15 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/8010.

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Articles
Received 2020-06-29
Accepted 2021-11-26
Published 2022-01-25