ACTIVITY 4 SUCH PECULIAR NAMES W&I pp 184-193
1. In this article, Mwizenge Tembo explains the traditions associated with names in Zambia.
a. Use an atlas or other geography site to locate Zambia and its capital, Lusaka. Also find its neighbor, Zimbabwe, and the city of Bulawayo.
b. Compare the area of Zambia to the area of the state in which you live.
c. Compare the population of Zimbabwe to the population of your state.
d. What is the official language in Zimbabwe?
2. Now that we have an idea of the size and population density of Zimbabwe, let’s focus on names.
a. How might a sociologist or anthropologist use Zambian names as social commentary?
b. Use the Internet or a book about names to find the meaning of your first and middle names.
c. Try to learn the derivation of your last name. Names such as Miller and Carpenter are easy, but for some you will have to dig much deeper. Your family might be able to help.
3. In Zambia, it is not unusual for a person to change names several times.
a. Who usually gives the baby his birth name (name of the umbilical cord)?
b. What circumstances usually require a new name?
c. If you were to change your name at each of these circumstances, what names would be most apt?
d. Does your family have any tradition or custom surrounding giving names?
e. Who gave you your name(s)?
f. Do we have an equivalent to names of joking?
g. If you could change your name, would you? If so, what name would you choose?
4. Do you have more than one name? Did you have a different name when you were little than the one you use now? Do you use the same name in school as at home or "on the street"? How did these names evolve?
5. To what extent do Americans of African descent continue the tradition of having different names for different circumstances, such as a name within the family, a street name, or a nickname? Do other cultures have similar practices?
6. In his essay, Tembo mentions the "Copperbelt" several times.
a. Use the Internet or other sources to locate the Copperbelt.
b. What is the significance of copper for Zambia?
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