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The Ibibio
The
Kalabari
Eyo
Festival
The Urhobo
The Village Mart
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The Urhobo...Our Names Are...
Their colurful loin cloth and
ubiquitos bowler hats tell the story of the age long marriage
between the traditional African society and the 19th century
Europeans. The Urhobo are well known as a family of people that have
given the world more than its fair share of dandy men, elegant women
and the much sought black gold, petroleum. Utibe Uko
examines the names behind these great men and women
...The Procedure
Urhobo children are given names with meanings attached to them.
The Urhobo believe that a child lives up to the likeness or
meaning of the name that she or he bears. For instance, there is a
general belief that if 'thief' is the name of a child, that child
may grow up to be a 'rogue.' If, on the other hand, the child is
given a name that suggests a 'rich person,' there is the belief
that such a child invariably grows up to be a wealthy individual.
Urhobo parents are therefore very careful about the names that
they give to their children.
Grandparents or older relatives have the privilege of giving names
to the new-born child. This is usually an honour, however, unlike
some of their ethnic neighbours, the Urhobo do not have any
special naming ceremonies that require performing certain rites.
Apart from the parents and grandparents, traditionally, Urhobo
rarely allow the baby to be touched or sometimes seen directly by
others until the age of three months. Mother and child are usually
strong enough to have an outing at this age. This involves
visiting the in-laws and other close relatives. At this time, the
child should have an established given name. Urhobo parents do not
"count" the number of their children. Parents are not permitted by
Urhobo cultural practices to count their children. The number of
fingers often represent children.
Urhobo names have deep meanings. Names are not mere labels. Many
Urhobo names invoke spiritual or religious significance. Sometimes
they give names to connote a challenge to self or others. Urhobo
people thrive best when challenged. They also give names as a
celebration and appreciation of the gift of a child itself.
Several Urhobo names reflect honour and achievement. Certain names
are simply philosophical, while others are gender specific. The
Urhobo also give names that emphasize the importance of people as
an important resource. Sometimes names are given to denote special
days, especially if the individual was born on that specific day.
The Urhobo share one trait with their Anioma neighbours: they
operate a republican system of government in their communes. They
work very hard to acquire wealth and fame. For the Urhobo, your
wealth is as good as its source. The Urhobo will investigate the
source of the individual's wealth. If suspect, the individual
stand to lose his/her respect, dignity and fame. A good number of
Urhobo names have to do with wealth and money.
It should be noted that a few of the names under gender are not so
common any more. Urhobo names are sometimes sentences or even
phrases. The 'long forms' may in fact be the 'short forms' of the
actual long names. The 'short forms' therefore, are in some cases
doubly short forms of the real names. However, the actual meanings
of the names are never in doubt. Some of these names may belong to
cross categories warranting repetition in some cases. This is
deliberate. Most Urhobo names start with vowels in the initial
position except where abbreviated. Some names like Efetobore,
Onajite and Oghenbrume fall into morethan one category of names.
...The Spiritual
Edewor (Dewor) - Male... Sacred day of worship in traditional
religion.
Ejiroghene (Ejiro)-Unisex... Praise God.
Oghenebrume (Brume)-Unisex...God decided in my favor.
Oghenekevwe (Kevwe)-Unisex...God gave (provided for) me.
Oghenenyore (Nyore)-Unisex...God answers prayers.
Oghenetega (Tega)-Unisex...God is worship-worthy.
Oghenochuko (Ochuko)-Unisex...God provides my support
...Born To Dare
Aruegodore (Egodo)-Male...We have come (established) home.
Efemini (Efe)-Male...Let's see how wealthy you can be
Efetobore (Tobore) -Male...Wealth has now been achieved.
Mitaire (Mitai)-Unisex...I have achieved (reached) their match.
Ojanomare (Janoma, Oma)-Unisex...I have met the challenge.
Onajite (Ojite, Jite)-Unisex...This is sufficient.
...My Status
Edafetanure (Dafe, Tanure)-Male...The wealthy have spoken.
Efemena (Ena, Efe)-Unisex...Here is my wealth.
Efemuaye (Efe)-Male...Those intoxticated with riches.
Irikefe (Kefe)-Male...First to become wealthy.
Omonigho (Igho)-Unisex...Child is greater than riches.
Onanefe (Ona, Efe)-Unisex...This (child) is greater than riches.
Etaidaferua (Taidafe)-Male...Words of the wealthy are more
acceptable.
...Please Accept My Appreciation
Oghenechovwe (Chovwe)-Unisex...God supported me.
Oghenerukevwe (Rukevwe, Ruks)-Unisex...God did this for me.
...Our Philosophy
Akpofure (Ofure)-Male...Life is now peaceful.
Emudiaga (Mudiaga)-Male...Let's stand firmly.
Emuvoke (Voke)-Unisex... Every thing has time.
Enakpodia (Nakpodia)... Male...The way life should (ought) to be.
Okiremute (Okite, Mute)-Unisex...There is time for everything.
Onomine (Ono, Mimi)-Unisex...Whom do I look up to?
Onoriode (Ono)-Unisex...Who knows tomorrow?
Oviereya (Ovieya)-Female...Queen
...I'm A Boy No! I'm A Girl
Emetemedia (Metemedia, Mete) - Female...I will always remain a
lady.
Emeterhire (Emete)-Female...Girls have arrived.
Inenevwerha (Nene)-Female...There is joy in motherhood.
Okoro (Okoro, Oshare)-Male...Man.
Umukoro (Mukoro, Mokoro)-Male...Young man. Omotore (Motore, Omote)-Female...Girl's
birth brings festivity.
Thisday /
Lagos, Nigeria.
Feb 2, 2003 |
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