Names

A number of you have asked about the children’s names. Ugandan names seem to follow an inconsistent pattern, but are essentially a tribal name followed by a Christian name. For example, Nashap Esther. The tribal name given at birth by their parents is usually related to a current circumstance or environment or position in the family. Nashap means ‘weeding season’, other names mean ‘first born’, ‘born on Monday’, ‘first of a twin’, etc. At baptism which is usually a few months after birth, the priest chooses a Christian name for the child. A number of these within the Karamojong tribe are catholic saints like Francis and John Bosco.

Aliat Philip, Lotudu Paul & Lokior Francis