Politically Initiative Personal Names and Naming Practices in Eastern Wollega

Abstract

The study was carried out at Naqamte town Administrative and Giddaa Ayyaanaa district in Eastern Wollega of Oromia National Regional state. The study describes how politically initiated personal names are given and explores the connotations and social realities that are reflected in those names. To this effect, the research employed descriptive analysis research design in qualitative methods to collect and analyze data. The data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis. The data collected through these instruments were analyzed and interpreted qualitatively using Onomastic theory. The theory is used to glean the intended and implied meaning(s) of various personal names. The analysis of data revealed that parents’ life experiences, the circumstances happening during pregnancy and child birth and the socio-political dynamics at the country level determine the names to be given to their children. Moreover, the family’s attitudes towards politics, challenges they come across and their future aspirations and hopes about the politics also govern the naming practices of the people. These happens to express the revival of nationalism, self-discovery and parents’ political devotions and assertiveness in different aspects of life such as political and identity issues as a description of Oromummaa and Saboonummaa. Thus, for the Oromoo people of Eastern Wollega, their personal names are an instance of language use for specific purposes which represent an important part in the people’s life.