14:00 - 15:30
Room: Muirhead – Room 118
Stream: Raising Children in Times of Hardship
Chair/s:
Caroline Williamson Sinalo, Claver Irakoze
What’s In A Name? Reinventing Luo Naming System In Kenya’s Ethnopolitical Space
Belindah Aluoch Okello
Leiden University, Leiden

The issue of ethnic identity is of core importance to Africans’ existence. Africans consider the passing of their ethnic identity to their offspring a sacred duty carried out by both parents and the community. These identities manifest in various spheres of their cultures; it is in their cultural traits (for example eating habits, gender relations), language, naming systems; among other spaces. This paper seeks to examine how current generation of Luo parents are adopting new naming systems in order to safeguard a wider social and economic space for their children while at the same time, keeping their ethnic Luo identity. In most instances, Luo ethnic identity becomes apparent by the mere act of stating ones name. In Kenya, an individual’s ethnic identity has over the years been a significant factor in defining one’s ability to advance politically, economically and socially. Unfortunately, the Luo have been among the groups that have been excluded due to their ethnic identity. Hence this paper will examine how Luo parents in the urban areas of Mombasa and Nairobi are reinventing naming systems in order to navigate the volatile ethnopolitical space in Kenya.


Reference:
Tu-A38 Raising Children 2-P-001
Presenter/s:
Belindah Aluoch Okello
Presentation type:
Panel
Room:
Muirhead – Room 118
Chair/s:
Caroline Williamson Sinalo, Claver Irakoze
Date:
Tuesday, 11 September
Time:
14:00 - 14:15
Session times:
14:00 - 15:30