Mobile philosophies

Abstract

Naming is a common practice in all societies. In each society, naming practices follow patterns that are generally predictable within their respective and identifiable feature categories.Names come from different sources and are inspired by the lived experiences of their bestowers. Whilst some names have clear and easily traceable meanings owing to their semantically transparent morphology or syntax, other meanings are only accessible when one gleans through the histories behind the names. Such histories come from the name givers’ epistemological systems. Thus, besides being forms of identity, different categories of names perform different functions. This paper is an analysis of inscriptions written on public transport vehicles, commonly known as kombis. We argue that these inscriptions are names. Hence, the article interrogates the functions of these names and tries to unearth the philosophies contained therein. The inscriptions were gathered from kombis plying their routes on the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. Data relating to the origins of these names and their semantic, cultural, and social significance was collected from kombi owners and crews.