The social and literary aspects of Zulu personal names

Abstract

This work, on the "Social and Literary Aspects of Zulu Personal Names", may be divided into three sections: Firstly, A Comparative Analysis where both the concept and use of Zulu names are compared to those of other societies, particularly the black societies of Africa. Emphasis is given to use of names in witchcraft, name-avoidance, and the underlying reasons for name-giving in such societies. Secondly, Zulu Personal Names: a series of interviews provide data on: a) the social reasons for the giving of personal names (a major part of this thesis); b) various forms of name-avoidance, including use of kinship terms, clan names, and personal praises (and for the latter, a fifteen page analysis of the content and style of originally-collected praises); c) An analysis of an original collection of dog- and ox-names, with reference to comparative material. Thirdly, The Literary Aspect of Zulu Personal Names: a) An analysis of the concept "praise" - from personal names to the praise-poems of the Zulu kings; b) An analysis of the literary concepts expressed in Zulu personal names, suggesting that 'the oral literary tradition is alive in every name-giving parent'; c) An analysis of the use of names, of various kinds, in both Zulu and Southern-Bantu praise-poetry.