2 comments about African Ethnics And Personal Names.

1. "Until the publication [of this book], it has been extremely difficult to find any primer that collects and defines the meaning of some African names...in English translation. ...the [book tries] to delineate, translate, and put into definitive contexts, these names...as a means of reaching the bigger English audience that is unaware of the rich African traditional linguistic heritage. In [the book] Jonathan Musere and Christopher Odhiambo examine more than 4000 personal names from Sub-Saharan Africa, with special emphasis on Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. The book is divided into two parts, whereby the first part looks at the origins of the ethnic groups in discussion, as well as their linguistic development over the generations. The ethnic groups whose select names appear in this book include the Acholi, Alur, Bolia, Bushong, Embu, Ganda, Gisu, Gombe, Hemba, Hutu, Iteso, Jopadhola, Kaguru, Kakwa, Kanyok, Karamojong, Jie, Kiga, Kikuyu, Kongo, Langi, Luba, Lugbara, Luo, Luwa, Luyia, Maasai, Mongo, Nandi, Ngbandi, Ntomba, nyankore, Nyoro, Ovimbundu, Pare, Samia, Shona, Soga, Sotho, Suk, Swahili, Tetela, Toro, Turkana, Tutsi, Twa, Yaka, Yoombe, Zezuru and Zulu. The book looks at the western as well as traditional definition of these ethnic groups. For example, the ancestral name for the Ganda is the plural, "Baganda," while the singular noun is "Muganda." The customary name of the Soga is the plural "Basoga," while "Musoga" is the singular noun. The second part of the book lists the select names from the above ethnic groups in alphabetical order. For example, [the name] "chilimo" is given to one that is born during a season of cultivation. The book gives the pronunciation of chilimo as "tch-ih-lih-moh." (S.B. Isabirye in "Papyrus" Vol. 6, No.2, Winter 2000).



2. An assortment of thousands of African personal names interpreted in detail are here in this book e.g. Matutu (prominence), Mawanga (ethnic groups), Achoka (the dark one), Akayesu (the one of Jesus), Magezi (braininess), Magero (miracles), Muliro (fire), Misha (village), Asis/ Asita (God). The ethnic group and country origin of each name is given, and also the pronunciation. The book shows that African names are so intimately related to culture, history, social situations, religion, birth situations, proverbs, love, anger, joy, dissapointment, etc. A unique aspect of this large book is that a quarter of it is dedicated to exploring the naming practices, cultures, histories, folklore of many African groups including the Zulu, Kikuyu, Tutsi, Hutu, Swahili, etc. You will not be disappointed if you want to get details about African backgrounds and if you have interest in African names. The book has so many references too that you can use. The book is therefore good for the general readers, the students, and the instructors.

No comments about African Names.

No comments about Dutch Emigrants to the United States, South Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia, 1835-1880: An Alphabetical Listing by Household Heads and Inde.

No comments about Domesticating the World: African Consumerism and the Genealogies of Globalization (California World History Library).

No comments about Kinshasa.

5 comments about The African Book of Names: 5,000+ Common and Uncommon Names from the African Continent.

1. A lot of writers use baby name books to help them find interesting and meaningful monikers for their characters, but this one belongs on the desk of any writer even considering including African or African-American characters in her work. It is quite simply the best-organized one I've ever encountered -- and believe me, I've thumbed through a lot of them.
   
   Or, to put it another way: when's the last time any of us saw a baby name book that was actually interesting enough to sit down and READ cover to cover?
   
   What makes it so much better than most? THE AFRICAN BOOK OF NAMES is so intelligently put together, treating both the reader and the subject matter with respect. Unlike the vast majority of baby name books out there, it's not just a straightforward list of names and meanings -- which, let's face it, is fairly readily available on the Internet, if you're looking for only common names -- but a thoughtfully-constructed examination of the significance of naming in various African and African-American cultures.
   
   Yes, there are indeed lists, but such lists! Arranged by categories of meaning, the names are also presented by region of origin and circumstance under which a particular name might be applied. And we're not just talking about names that translate as Daisy or Strong One here -- names like the Azanian Nothango (one who forms a buffer against the enemy), the Ugandan Nangila (born while the parents were traveling around), and the Camaroonian Akam Bowho (one who does not have a problem) abound in this book.
   
   This is a powerful resource for writers, in short; I highly recommend it. You'll never run out of fascinating name choices.



2. As a native of Tuskegee, Alabama, I have long been fascinated with African history and culture. And throughout my life, I have had an array of friends and associates that proudly embraced their African roots in general and their African name(s) in particular. This is why I was ecstatic to discover Dr. Askhari Johnson Hodari's uniquely crafted book featuring a priceless collection of over 5,000 familiar and unfamiliar names.
   
   Most impressive is the way "THE AFRICAN BOOK OF NAMES" remarkably and ingeniously reflects the life, history, culture and spirit of Africa from all corners of the continent. I also love the way Dr. Hodari categorized her comprehensive list of authentic African names by roughly 200 diverse themes of life, mind, body and soul. And since I personally and spiritually strive to embody the "Fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), I was overjoyed to see that the multitude of themes for African Names included: Love, Intimacy, and Affection; Joy and Happiness; Peace and Harmony; Gentleness; Goodness; Faith, Belief, and Spirituality and; Gentleness - among many more.
   
   Moreover, being a Success Expert, I was very delighted to see a section of African Names centered on Success and Achievement including Fuzu which means "To succeed; win" and Wini which means "A successful person". But whatever the personal, professional, spiritual, mental, emotional or sentimental theme you are searching for, you will no doubt find it in Hodari's book of African Names. The icing on the cake is the included 200-year naming calendar. Since African names will likely become more prominent in American history (for reasons related to Barack Obama), this book is a "must have" centerpiece and a "must read" masterpiece.



3. With the election of an African American President who obviously embraces his heritage both in his name and actions, more awareness has come to the way we choose names. But, the questioning didn't just begin. From as early as the 60's, some have personally asked what does my name say about me, my family, my beliefs and my heritage.
   
   In THE AFRICAN BOOK OF NAMES: 5,000+ Common and Uncommon Names from the African Continent, Dr. Askhari Hodari takes readers through a brief history of how African Americans received their names in U.S. history. They are basically names associated with family names of slave owners. These names say nothing of our African roots like those associated with Jewish, Greek, and Italian cultures for instance. Dr. Hodari goes into detail about the African naming conventions, the do's and don'ts, the patterns and the ceremonies. According to Dr. Hodari, "African names link African people to the ethnic groups, a place, a time, or circumstance." She also indicates the African naming practices should give one the opportunity to learn more about the beliefs, culture, and philosophy of Africa. Just like in the Bible, your name says alot about you.
   
   Dr. Hodari provides a naming resource for a parent that is also a history lesson for anyone wanting to know more about the African naming practices. As much as this is a good source for the parents, it is also a great guide for those wishing to change their names to a more suitable African one. Unlike many of the other books of names, THE AFRICAN BOOK OF NAMES lists over 5,000 names by theme and in alphabetical order. Each name offers the pronunciation, the meaning, origin and gender. This is comprehensive a book of names and a guide to help you choose the right African name whether it be for a new birth or someone desiring to get closer to his/her African roots.
   
   Reviewed by Brenda Lisbon
   of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers



4. I gave this book to my niece recently at her baby shower. She and her husband spent to much time DURING THE SHOWER going through it. The attention they gave the book let me know the information in this book is important and appreciated.



5. Like we need air to breathe and water to drink, people also need names to call themselves. The African Book of Names provides a rich and essential resource of names (to Afrikan people foremost) that reflect our African heritage and identity. Names can be empowering or disempowering. The majority of Afrikans born in the Diaspora received names at birth that reflect a European construction and ideology - a direct reflection of the colonial/slave portion of our history. The African Book of Names is a necessity for those looking for a name that is a true reflection of their African identity...one that is full of wholesomeness and not reflective of an historical atrocity. The book is also perfect for those looking for names that have meanings they can identify with. It is sensibly and attractively organized by categories that reflect almost every aspect of African livelihood, spirituality, thought and practice. I used The African Book of Names for the naming of my son and for myself. And I have friends who have used it for the naming of their children and/or themselves, for the naming of an initiative/organization and also for a general Afrikan language reference. The book includes guidelines for how to conduct a naming ceremony - an absolutely invaluable inclusion. I think that every Black person should own or have access to a copy of The Afrikan Book of Names. And another thing I truly respect about the author is her genuine wish to share the information with people. The website is another truly wonderful resource, [...]. Dr. Askhari Hodari give thanks for your death-defying work!!

1 comments about Oral Epics from Africa: Vibrant Voices from a Vast Continent (African Epic).

1. how could something as interesting as african mythology become this boring? it's a mistery to me.
   i grew up with african mythology, with the stories, the jungle, the witch-doctors, the animals...all i got here was endless rhymes that might sound great if the story-teller were in front of me but was sleep inducing on paper.
   so why a 2 star you ask, instead of only one star? for the effort...this book was written based on days/years of hard work...i have to respect that.

5 comments about In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African Americans Reclaimed Their Past.

1. 
   The Broyard family (Anatole, Bliss, etc.) cannot honestly be called "African American" or "black." Gates has been pushing a forced black racial classification for mixed or part-black white people for a long time. It's better to spend your time reading: Legal History of the Color Line: The Rise And Triumph of the One-drop Rule or The Forgotten Cause of the Civil War: A New Look at the Slavery Issue.



2. A follow-up to the PBS documentary "African American Lives", Gates goes further into historical, genealogical, and genetic research with nineteen famous African Americans, finding new and interesting details of their ancestors, going past the Civil War and using DNA, their African roots. Many of his subjects are high-profile media figures--Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Tina Turner, Oprah Winfrey--others are exception members of their chosen careers - Mae Jemison, the first black astronaut, Benjamin Carson, head of pediatric neurosurgery at John Hopkins University--and high-profile pastors--Peter Gomes and TD Jakes. There is a short biography of each, but the bulk of each chapter is on what Gates' research found regarding their families. Again and again, the point is made that how much slavery removed people's heritage, keeping them from knowing those ancestors that provide the "family history" you hand down to each new generation.



3. I found this collection of genealogies and family histories of 19 African Americans to be both fascinating and moving. The family histories explore many different aspects of African American history and the black experience in the US, always tying individual stories to broader historical themes in a way that was generally successful, if sometimes repetitive and often lacking in detail. Therefore, despite the criticisms outlined below, I think this is a valuable book, and would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in African American history or genealogy.
   
   That said, I was troubled by the factual errors and questionable interpretations that riddle the book. Gates is neither a historian nor a geneticist by training, so these lapses are perhaps unavoidable, but they detract from the book's overall impact. Perhaps most troubling is Gates's problematic use of DNA evidence. DNA evidence is particularly important in African American genealogy because it is almost always the only way descendants of slaves can find a direct, albeit generalized, connection to their African ancestry. But DNA test results are not as straightforward as Gates presents them. In the admixture test, for example, two siblings might have quite different results, despite having identical ancestors, because each sibling is the product of a different recombination of their parents' DNA. A brief section explaining exactly what DNA tests can and cannot tell us about our ancestry, and more careful wording when describing DNA test results, would have improved the book.
   
   The book also contains several factual errors. Among the ones I found: the 1870 census doesn't list birthdays or family relationships (it lists ages, and family relationships were not recorded until the 1880 census) (p. 8); Harris County, Georgia, is on the Alabama border, not "near the South Carolina border" (p. 198); and the slave schedules in the federal census were made in 1850 and 1860, not 1840 and 1850 (p. 420). While each error in itself is minor, the errors combine to suggest a degree of carelessness in research or editing that weakens the book's overall message. This is unfortunate, because it's an important message.



4. Henry Gates' book, IN SEARCH OF OUR ROOTS, gives much more information than its accompanying PBS documentary, "African American Lives," and lays out the processes used to gather that information. This book is most relevant to those who have done or plan to do serious genealogy. It would also be of interest to those who are admirers of the people it covers. I have been obsessed with trying to trace my family into slavery and beyond for the past eleven years. I started this project in 1996 after reading Edward Ball's book, SLAVES IN THE FAMILY, because it struck a note which resonated with certain of my family's oral history.
   
   I began my search before census data was digitized and searchable on the internet. Countless hours were spent going through microfilmed records and traveling to local archives. At that time DNA testing seemed only used to prove or negate paternity.
   
   It's been said that black genealogy is very difficult but not impossible. Early mentors told me that if you cannot trace your people as humans, you must trace them as property. In this process you come to many dead ends where the line(s) just die out. Gates' book shows this and I found it to be a help in showing how his genealogists dealt with some of the barriers. Their use of conjecture was informative. For example, a simple thing such as searching for a slave owner in another state based on the last name of the former slave in the slave schedules had not occurred to me. If I did not have a record with the slave owner's name in the county where the ex-slave was living I assumed that there was no further information.
   
   I am envious of the army of professional genealogists, historians and archivists that Henry Gates had at his disposal for this project. He also seemed to have had a huge budget for DNA tests. I entered his contest to pick a "regular" person to be included in the "African American Lives" project to have some of these resources placed at my disposal, but it was not to be. Previously I was able to do some limited DNA testing which was helpful in showing that I had none of Native American blood spoken of by my father's family and now could abandon time wasting searches through Indian records. The book was helpful in describing the DNA heritage of Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, with whom I share the L3d haplogroup. I had been researching East African slavery to figure out how my ancestors ended up as slaves in South Carolina and Virginia from areas where slaves to the Americas were not taken. I did not have the $400 to test African ancestry of tribes and even if I did, I did not have the historians to interpret the results with tribal warfare and migration patterns.
   
   On my own I have taken my and my husband's family back six generations. I have accumulated a sizable collection of genealogy books. Gates' book is very good in that it is informative and inspires one to go forward with a very difficult search. I can overlook the "factual errors and questionable interpretations" that were mentioned in other reviews because I was experienced enough to immediate recognize that they were errors. Either Gates did no genealogy himself or he did not write or have a knowledgeable person proof read those sections.



5. Gates, in his introduction, says that the "average" African American is likely to have X percentage of African bloodlines, Y percentage of European and Z of Native American. He then shows this with a number of famous African Americans, including building the case that an alleged American Indian ancestor in most black families' past lineage was likely actually a descendant of a black-white relationship.
   
   The most fascinating story, in many ways, is that of Anatole Broyard and his daughter, Bliss. Anatole was born in Louisiana of mixed ethnic parentage but, at the age of 17, decided to start "passing" as white, eventually becoming a columnist with the New York Times. His daughter, Bliss, found out the truth from her white mother just before Anatole died.
   
   Contra some people, Anatole was born and raise as "black," therefore he belongs in this book, precisely because of the issue of "passing."
   
   The other interesting part is where Gates uses DNA analysis to connect the people of the book to specific African tribes and groups within their African heritage. That said, although he does make caveats at times, he may be claiming a bit too much for what DNA actually can, or cannot, tell us.
   
   It's still a very good book overall, though.

No comments about Faces of America.

5 comments about My Traitor's Heart: A South African Exile Returns to Face His Country, His Tribe, and His Conscience.

1. When I read this book ten plus years ago it blew me away, both as political and narrative non-fiction, and as excellent writing. Malan's voice and humanity perfectly tell an important story. The second reading was as good, if not better.



2. How does one explain the intricacies of Apartheid-era South Africa, from the political turmoil to the constant tribal warring? Primitive thought? Anger spurred by poverty and hunger? Ancient beliefs conflicting with modernity? Racism? There is no one simple answer, and this book does an incredible job of elucidating this. It is harrowing, horrific, and incredibly sad, but it is all real and should be read by all. The story of an incredibly violent and hopeless place told through the eyes of Rian Malan, a descendant of one of the first founders of Apartheid thought, as he retells his life story and searches his soul for an answer, travelling from white affluence to the slums, from America to the soul-crushing gold mines, from the base of a dwindling black political movement to the outermost reaches of the arid rural kwaZulu, meeting whites consumed by intense racial hate and those who tried to love so hard that it destroyed their lives, and telling their life stories along with his, to create an incredibly rich and horrifying mosaic.



3. I have attempted to write a review of this book several times, but failed as I find myself gripped with the same conflicting emotions that Malan so succintly portrays in the book.
   
   Having been born and brought up very close to the Msinga Valley (the subject of the closing chapter of My Traitor's Heart) in the heart of Kwa Zulu Natal, many of the names and people are known to me. Some of those people are the heroes of the book, others are the villains. I mention this only in so much as I can verify sufficient of the authenticity of Malan's very personal, cathartic journey.
   
   Many others have written a synopsis of Malan's book. If you want to know about the story line - there are many reviews to be read. However, for me the review is a personal experience. Malan's catharsis is paralleled by my own! No other book I've read is as descriptive of the madness that is Africa. A madness that you both love and hate at the same time. A madness that drives you away and yet draws you in simultaneously. And finally a madness that drives you to the edge of reason, yet (as the story of Creina Alcock unfolds) drives you to the reason for being.
   
   No matter where you start on the political spectrum (extreme left, extreme right or somewhere in the middle), you find yourself driven to the other end of the scale and back again, on a roller coaster of emotion. For Malan, his beginning point is 'extreme left'. His end point, is, I suspect, 'disillusioned'.
   
   I recommend this book as an extremely well written, witty, sad, mad book. If you want to understand Africa (insofar as anyone can 'understand' Africa), this is the book to read.
   
   But reader beware - it is a deeply disturbing, very graphic read!



4. This book was highly recommended to me by the blogger Greenman Tim (Walking the Berkshires) after our trip to South Africa. As usual, his recommendations are spot on. It is a difficult enough book to review that I'm going to start by comparing it to another book: Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow, and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South Africa. Both books are memoirs (of sorts) written by white South Africans of Boer descent as an exploration of their emotions around the history of apartheid in their country.
   
   But if the project behind the two books is similar, then they are still not the same. Krog is reflective in a different way. Malan feels, I don't know, angrier? Angrier with himself, angrier with the situation? More consumed with the immense difficulty of finding a place for the white man in Africa? He certainly mocks himself and other white liberals rather mercilessly, while at the same time arguing for the necessity of precisely that idealism. It creates a strange and edgy tone that makes for a very interesting reading experience, even if that is only an accidental by-product.
   
   One of the things that works best about My Traitor's Heart is the way that Malan spins the stories that he covers as a journalist through the emotional landscape of his own place in the situation. Whether he covers the axman, Neil Alcock, or his own ancestors the combination of attachment and difference serves both him and the reader very well.
   
   Recommended.



5. Of the Afrikaan language, Malan wrote: "It is a brutal language, so violent on the tongue that Americans would quail when I tried to teach them the odd word or two." I remember back around 1992 in a skydiving plane over Perris Valley, Ca. As the door opened to exit, an Afrikan jumper tried his language-shovel on me, speaking as if he could reasonably expect to be understood and feared to boot. But I had read Malan's book, and remembered the bit about the cold gravel. Shoveling back I answered -- wholly unquailed and in English -- that I was doing a two-way and that we would break at 4 and wave off at 3.5. I don't remember what the fellow looked like, but I still remember the look on his face.