Friday, January 24, 2014

Being Named

In Kenyan culture, names are very significant.

We learned on Day One in Nairobi that Kenyans often have four names: a first name, a second name often correlating to the time/weather at birth, a last/family name, and finally, a name of a relative whose personality is reflected in the child some time after birth.

In Sidai, each of us were given a name in the native language, Samburu. Each had a meaning reflecting something either the community or one of our translators noticed in us. Some were given the first day we were there for ease in medical interaction and used affectionately for the duration of the trip. Some were given on a whim at a pivotal interaction with the community. Some were given as a closing gift to our group. But they all meant an acceptance into the community and a bond created in our week there.

Want to know what the people of Sidai thought of each of our muzungus (white people)? Since I'm an engineer, I'll put them in a table for you. ;)



Emily Lawson
Nasioyo
Ever quick
Bethany Goodrich
Nakweni
Ever laughing
Julie Swierenga
Nanana
Soft girl
Kendra Pennings
Nkariyia
Singer
Kendra Altena
Nkiripa
Big fancy necklace
Stephanie Enserink
Nabore
Full of blessing
Mariel Knot
Nalanou
From overseas
Christina Howell
Sekuna
Quick to act
Wendy Tabler
Namanu
One who goes around
Mitchell Feria
Lolowua
From mountainous area
Nico Ourensma
Lesiai
Hardworker
Goose Gelderloos
Loodo
Tall guy
Blake Wichtowski
Loshami
One who everyone loves
Jonathan Gingrich
Loten
Runner
Nick Memmelaar
Lolmasi
Dreads warrior
Alex Kooi
Loirita
Shepherd
Colin Gesink
Lepicha
Photo man
Jerome Navarro
Lakanyani
Quick singer
Chris Poquette
Logira
Silent
Professor Johnathan Bascom
Losowuan
Buffalo
Professor David Wunder
Lngatuny
Lion


The names are phonetic! If you want to know the stories behind some of these, make sure to ask when we return. This was such a treat for us!

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