Where source of livelihood is your second name

By JAMES MWANGI

What is in a name, one would ask? What is called a sunflower would smell the same way were it to be called rose or moon flower.

Well, there is a justifiable explanation as to why we bear the names we introduce ourselves by, even though the origin could be far-fetched.

There are however nicknames, aliases or pseudonyms that we acquire  from what we love doing or we get them out of unique traits we possess. However, in Kikuyu land people are nicknamed from what they do for a living.

Living among the sons and daughters of Mumbi and Gikuyu, you should not be surprised if you wake up tomorrow to find that your second name is what you do for a living.

So when I went looking for an old friend, John Mwema, at his resting base in Githurai, I was very sure I would get him if I just mentioned his name. Mwema is doing well in mitumba business at Gikomba.

He had told me he is well known there but when I mentioned his name I was shocked nobody recognised him until I revealed what he does for living.

“So it is Mwema wa mitumba  you are looking for? You should have asked him to tell you the name that is well known here,” they advised as they directed me to his place.

Tradition

This is not an exceptional case but a tradition that is deeply rooted among the Kikuyu people. They never refer to you by your full names but instead put an appendage name that matches your source of livelihood.

Perhaps because of sharing some similar names in almost every home they find this suitable to avoid inconveniences and ambiguities.

If for instance I am in the business of selling boiled eggs, they would call me Mwangi mayai boilo, or if one is in hawking business they will even be specific in what they trade in, for example Ndirangu wa sindano, (Ndirangu the needles’ seller), Waithira wa nduma (Waithira the arrowroot vendor) or Mike wa bengi,(Mike the banker).

In this land it is not surprising to hear people shouting at you awkwardly or do we say ‘occupationally’. For example Hassan ka muguka (khat), Mwikali wa tukeki (cakes), Odhis boda boda, (cyclists) Wafula wa ngatheti (newspaper vendor).

Interestingly, if there are resemblances in the occupation and you are sharing names the naming would extend further to finer details.

Take the case of Njoroge or Cheruiyot ndereba (driver). If there are two or more Njoroges or Cheruiyots who are drivers they would be distinguished by the vehicle type, for instance Cheruiyot wa mbathi (the bus driver), Cheruiyot wa karori (the lorry driver) or else by the vehicles’ registration, Njoroge wa KYH, Njoroge wa KAB.