The anthroponymNhamo

Anthroponyms of Albinos among the Shona People of Zimbabwe

“…There is a substantial body of literature on personal naming practices, in particular on the social and cultural significance of African names (see, for example, Kimenyi 1978;Akinnaso 1980;Maturana 1988;Koopman 1992;Mignola 2001;Tatira 2004;Ageykum 2006;Ad niyi 2008;Makondo 2009Makondo , 2011Makondo , 2013Pfukwa 2003Pfukwa , 2007, among many others). Most of the previous studies have focused on the naming of places (toponyms), people (anthroponyms), domestic animals, ethnic and religious groups (ethnonyms) and beer halls (Makondo 2011), among many other subjects.…”

“…Most of the previous studies have focused on the naming of places (toponyms), people (anthroponyms), domestic animals, ethnic and religious groups (ethnonyms) and beer halls (Makondo 2011), among many other subjects. Very little is known about the naming of albinos in African societies.…”

“…Personal names can have various meanings associated with them. They are of various types including those focusing on the fauna and flora, abstract names, metaphorical and symbolic names and compound names (see, for example, Pongweni 1983;Mashiri 1999;Pfukwa 2003Pfukwa , 2007Makondo 2009Makondo , 2011Makondo , 2013. Shona albino names, like other African names, are given with the consideration of the social, religious, political, cultural and economic values of the society at the time that the child is born.…”