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Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by ebere1712: 12:08am On Oct 26, 2010 |
It looks very bad to me when I see all or most Africans with English or foreign names but you never see others with African names. Are we being stupid or can someone explain to me why it is necessary for an African person to immediately be given a foreign name. Can someone explain to me why a person from Nigeria, for example would be named edwin clark, john coles, goodluck johnathan, abdudalem abubaka? This is ridiculous. When wud my african peepz wake up . Have a good day yall 2 Likes |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by EzeUche0(m): 12:11am On Oct 26, 2010 |
Not me. My name is fully African with a mix of Igbo and Ibibio. 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by excanny: 12:18am On Oct 26, 2010 |
My parents made that mistake because they thought it was cool. But my baby is going to have 3 cool african names(first, middle, and last names) 2 Likes |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by chyz(m): 12:20am On Oct 26, 2010 |
ebere1712: Im glad you opened this thread because i find it such a shame for Africans to continue giving their children or themselves these european and arabic names. Are Europeans and arabs giving their own children African names?No. This is just a slave mentality. Then they will you an excuse of "It is in the Bible" or "It is in the Quran".Whether it is or it isn't it is jewish and arabic and not your people's name. Why not find out the meaning of those names and translate it into you native language. I'm glad i only have my native names. 2 Likes |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by HighChief4(m): 12:27am On Oct 26, 2010 |
chyz:God bless you, it is totally wrong, I dont know what happened to our beautiful African names, another painful one again is not teaching the kids their language even some parents that live there in Nigeria still want their kids to speak only English. 2 Likes |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by EzeUche0(m): 12:29am On Oct 26, 2010 |
High_Chief: You are not lying. I was in Arochukwu and one of my kin did not want his children speaking Igbo. He only wanted English spoken since he thinks Igbo spoils their tongue. I am thankful that my parents not only wanted me to learn English, they taught me Igbo and Ibibio. As well as French. 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by mensdept: 12:31am On Oct 26, 2010 |
Well I understand what the poster is saying, but its not just Africans that are doing this. Latinos and Asians are bearing Christian names and all. In Naija, most people who have a Christian name still have a native name and are still African. You cant say that for the Northern part of the country that despite how black they are, see themselves as if they are ARAB, when the Arabs see them as inferior olodos. Going to Europe, you'll find Isabella, Elizabeth, Eliza, Mary, Maria, Peter, Pablo, etc., which actually are biblical/Hebraic names that were given to Christians (i.e. King John, Queen Mary) etc. 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by ebere1712: 12:48am On Oct 26, 2010 |
mens dept:have you ever seen anybody from other parts of the world answering bola, chinedu and so on. Can anybody tell me a name that is hausa for example and not islamic. I as a Nigerian shud know this but I dont because you always hear their arabic names . But we are all guilty of this stupidity, it is not only the northern nigerians. The edwin clerks and goodluck Johnathan that have have done their forefathers disservice by taking a foreign name as their surnames are southerners. Anyways I cant change a thing about this. Peter,Paul and most of the names you mentioned here are europeanised names of the hebraic names have a gud day tho and thanks for ur contrib 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by kcjazz(m): 12:49am On Oct 26, 2010 |
Different reasons some are the influence of missionaries, TV or ease of pronunciation. I would prefer an African with an English name who knows and understands his culture and language than an African who doesn't know the meaning of his/her name nor language. That for me is a sad reality "Many of you know that I got my name, Barack, from my father. What you may not know is Barack is actually Swahili for 'That One.' And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I'd ever run for president" ~ Barack Obama Its not the name its the character that matters 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Osama10(m): 12:54am On Oct 26, 2010 |
This situation is really sad, my 3 names are all African. 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by EzeUche0(m): 12:55am On Oct 26, 2010 |
Traditional Hausa names are: Kande Turai Larai Yelwa Kubura Maimuna Monsura Yasira Uwani Shibu Jamila Hindatu Goggo |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by chyz(m): 1:06am On Oct 26, 2010 |
kcjazz: This is where you are wrong. Also, you fail to state that when obama was told by his white surroundings during the election to use an english name i believe it was "Barry" he refused, and let it be known that he is proud of his african heritage and will not sell out to please anyone.If it is not the name that matters arabs and white people would have been using the names of the Africans that they first came in contact with during the expedition days. 2 Likes |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Nobody: 1:16am On Oct 26, 2010 |
My first name was American, had it legally changed recently to my Yoruba one 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by chyz(m): 1:18am On Oct 26, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: Beautiful |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Nobody: 1:23am On Oct 26, 2010 |
chyz:Thanks, babe. |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by kcjazz(m): 1:25am On Oct 26, 2010 |
chyz: I don't know if I understand you correctly. However, all am saying is promoting our culture is more important than a name. On my list, I would focus on teaching my kids about the culture and heritage. |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Nobody: 1:29am On Oct 26, 2010 |
kcjazz:Ehrrm our name is our identity, it is part of our culture. So if we want to promote our culture, we need to start with our cultural name. Our names are enriched with stories, with meanings, with live, with depth. . . . It is the most important thing in our culture. 3 Likes |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by kcjazz(m): 1:42am On Oct 26, 2010 |
^^^^ Yes they could be a part, I myself have 2 native names but there are different reasons why people might choose not to go with them. That doesn't make them any less a part of their African culture. Like I mentioned, I would prefer my kids know the language and understand their roots and that can be achieved without the name. |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Nobody: 1:44am On Oct 26, 2010 |
kcjazz: What are the reasons? Let me guess; Because it's hard to pronounce? Do the shenequas and shebanban of this world make their names easier for you to pronounce? |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by chyz(m): 1:45am On Oct 26, 2010 |
kcjazz: You should be ashamed of yourself! 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by kcjazz(m): 1:59am On Oct 26, 2010 |
^^^ You are funny, maybe we see things differently. I have met Nigerians or Africans who do not know the meanings of their names. I just want to solve the problem by teaching my kids about their culture and language, that is a more difficult job than just throwing a name. Will I name them an African name yes most likely (but not a priority) but to say someone is not proud of his African roots because of his name, I find that a bit flawed. |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Osama10(m): 2:35am On Oct 26, 2010 |
kcjazz: Have you seen a typical British or American name his child something like Ada or Efe? 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by kcjazz(m): 3:33am On Oct 26, 2010 |
^^^^ Yes, very few. Their reasons maybe just looking for a unique name not because they love Africa |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by bkbabe97y(m): 4:07am On Oct 26, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: Hun, You'll always be Shanqu'iyda Cymone to me , fuxck legal change or not! |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Nobody: 4:11am On Oct 26, 2010 |
kcjazz:For where? Quit lying bro. Well, unless the FATHER is African. bk.babe97y:Your case is irredeemable. |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by kcjazz(m): 5:50am On Oct 26, 2010 |
Ileke-IdI: Wetin I do you? Why would I lie? I met a family that had unique names because the parents were African missionaries. While another the dad was a diplomat, all cultures represented. Am not against African names, read all my previous posts. I am just saying having one does not make you Kunta Kinte or a Pan-African and for me its not a priority. Nelson Mandela's father did not name him Nelson but he chose to keep the name (which by the way was given to him by his primary school teacher) Does that make him less African? No. The downside of globalization is real and that is why I feel I would teach my kids about the language and culture. My Asian classmates chose English names, does that make them any less Asian? No, as a people Asians are the most patriotic people I know. |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by Nobody: 6:35am On Oct 26, 2010 |
kcjazz:Do what you do, I've done my patriotic duty; letting you know how sad you case is 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by excanny: 7:55am On Oct 26, 2010 |
EzeUche0: The bolded are still Arabic names. Larai and Turai are an Hausanized form of the Arabic names Balarabe and Thurayya |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by gadogado(m): 8:50am On Oct 26, 2010 |
excanny: Not true, larai is a hausa name, balarabe as in balarabe musa means "arab" in hausa, the female version of that is balarabiya, and there are women with that name in Nigeria. The Hausanized version of Thurayya is Surayya not Turai. Turai means you were born in a foreign land. Thats why a white person is called "bature" meaning foreigner. Bello is a hausa name, so is dalhatu, sarki, tafida, tukur, lamido, badamasi, gambo, tanko, mairo, dogara, dikko and many more. 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by redsun(m): 9:00am On Oct 26, 2010 |
D same reason why africans lost their fundamental bearings is d same reason why they bear foreign names and follow foreign religions,i e,islam and xtianity.Enslaved mentality is more devastating than physical slavery. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by KnowAll(m): 9:16am On Oct 26, 2010 |
There is noting wrong in having christain names if you are a christain. All my kids have christain names and their surname is african. my son for instance is Christopher, Joel, Oluseyi, and a Yoruba surname, I don't see anything wrong with that. The surname points and shows their heritage. 1 Like |
Re: Why Do Africans Have Foreign Names? by gadogado(m): 9:21am On Oct 26, 2010 |
@poster. I don't see the need of asking this question. The fact is names come with either religion or colonization/ political-cultural influence or need for assimilation. Haven't you see Chinese people with English names, go to Hong Kong or the Chinese that live in America or the west in general. Go to Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, most of the "stan" countries, Brunei, Iran (persians), Turkey (they're not arab), Albania and so on. You'll see that they mostly have Arabic names due solely to Islam, a religion of about 1.2 billion people. So its not peculiar to Nigeria or Africa. The europeans have a lot of names that come from hebrew/aramaic and general semitic origin, they anglicized most like Joshua from Yeshua etc. So europeans got the names from semites and passed it onto to Africans. If a people subscribes to any of the Abrahamic faiths then they'll have the same names like Moshe for Jews, Moses for xtians, Musa for Muslims. Those 3 are the same names. If you have indigenous beliefs as in parts of India and Japan then you're likely to have your own names. Actually, you have to praise Africans because they adopted the Abrahamic faiths and still kept their names, you cant say that for most others. Just go to Pakistan and see whether its easy to find Urdu or Pashtun names. |
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