References To Igbo Highlife Singer Flavour As "Ijele" And Other Meanings Of the Word "Ijele" Besides A Direct Reference For The Igbo Masquerade

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents quotes from various internet sites that provide information about other meanings of the Igbo word "Ijele" besides a direct reference for the Ijele Masquerade.

The content of this post is presented for linguistic and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners. 

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/05/ijele-nigerian-igbo-masquerade-video.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Ijele: Nigerian (Igbo) Masquerade Video & Information".

The word "Ijele" sounded like "e-JEH-le" to me in the video that is embedded in that post.  [Pronunciation corrections welcome.]

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DISCLAIMER:
I'm African American and unfortunately don't know any language but English. This post doesn't mean to imply that I know anything about this subject but what I have read online.

This post doesn't mean to list all the Igbo uses or all the Nigerian uses of the word "ijele".

Additions and corrections are very welcome.

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EXCERPTS ABOUT THE IGBO TERM "IJELE" (besides its use as a direct referent for the Masquerade)  

[Pancocojams Editor's Note: These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.]

I. IJELE AS A NAME OR A REFERENT FOR A PERSON (other than for the Igbo musician/singer Flavour) 
Excerpt #1 
From https://www.names.org/n/ijele/about#:~:text=A%20submission%20from%20Nigeria%20says,person%20of%20honour%20and%20dignity%22.
"A submission from Nigeria says the name Ijele means "Ijele in Igbo land refers to one of the greatest masquerades, well-known for its dignity and grace. It is highly respected and adored. Conotatively, we use Ijele to refer to a person of honour and dignity".

A user from Nigeria says the name Ijele means "A great person".

A submission from the United Kingdom says the name Ijele means "Type of masquerade in South-Eastern Nigeria (Igboland)" and is of Nigerian origin."

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Excerpt #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjEFGpnkL38&ab_channel=OfficialFlavour
Flavour - Ijele (Feat. Zoro) [Official Video]
Official Flavour, Dec. 26, 2017 [Comments]
1. Traore Bintou, 2017
"What is Ijele 🤔, some one can explain??. I love my lovely Africa🌍🌍

**
Reply
2. uzzyvick, 2017
"Traore Bintou Ijele is Igbo connotation for the ultimate in beauty and elegance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijele_Masquerade

**
Reply
3. De Monarch, 2017
"Traore Bintou no, Ijele is not beauty... Ijele is the biggest and most highly respected masquerade in Igboland.. It represents greatness... If some one calls you ijele , it means that u r bn referred to as "big" or great.... In a typical Igbo community called Aguleri (meaning the Lion of Eri), the people name their children according to their life experiences.. In this town, people especially females are named "Ijele" and these mostly come from families that are wealthy or giant in nature... Merry xmas

**
Reply
4. Son of NOK
"De Monarch

...however the literal meaning of Ijele is also the vicious black ant that dominates its victim or enemies with a million bites/second. The fact that somebody is called Agu (Lion) does not mean that he is literally a lion. Ijele; dominance  by elegance, glory and grace. The Ijele masquarade is the epitome  of artistic dominance in the art Masquarade in Igboland. When someone is egged on as Ijele, its usually in reference to their presumed elegance, beauty, grace, glory..., hence Igbo people will shower praises in words like: Mmanwu!, Ijele, Ogidida!, Oke Mmanwu; expressing fierceness... (I hang around an Art Historian)"

**
Ii. IJELE AS A REFERENT FOR FLAVOUR AND AS THE TITLE OF ONE OF HIS ALBUM AND ONE OF HIS SONGS 
Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavour_(musician)
"Chinedu Okoli (born 23 November 1983), better known by his stage name Flavour N'abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. Flavour is popularly known across Africa and the world for his hit song "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)". He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment.

In 2005, he released his self-titled debut album N'abania. In 2010, Flavour released his second studio album Uplifted. It was supported by the singles "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and "Oyi Remix". The album's success made Flavour one of Africa's most sought out artists."...

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Excerpt #2
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ijele_the_Traveler
"Ijele the Traveler is the fifth studio album by Nigerian musician Flavour N'abania. The album was released on June 30, 2017, and artists like Sarkodie, Zoro, Terry Apala, Phyno, Semah G. Weifur and Chidinma are featured on some of the tracks.[1] The record producers who worked on the project include Masterkraft, Tekno, Young John, Del'B, Illkeyz and Kezykleff.

Background

Ijele the Traveler follows his studio album titled Thankful released in 2014.[2] Igbo masquerade culture, with its Ijele Masquerade, significantly influences the album.[3][4] The album is composed of contemporary highlife and a blend of afro pop, hip hop, reggae and R&B sounds. The songs on the album were written in Igbo, English, and Pidgin. The song "Most High" features Semah Weifur, a blind Liberian boy who always wanted to meet Flavour.[5]

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Excerpt #3
From https://thenativemag.com/essentials-flavour-ijele-traveler-scare-your-favorite-artists/
ESSENTIALS: FLAVOUR’S ‘IJELE – THE TRAVELER’ SHOULD SCARE YOUR FAVORITE AFROPOP ARTISTS Written by Debola Abimbolu - 28.Jun.2017
"Masquerades come in different shapes and sizes and while some are regarded more highly than others, they are not on the same level with mere mortals. Flavour may be mortal but in a world where oldtime genres have become a fancy tool for so-called alternative artists to sprinkle on electronic production, Flavour has remained a living tribute to the music of our parents. His latest album, Ijele – The Traveler tilts him even closer to godly status than ever before because it sees him embrace the pop sheen in a way only skilled artists can.

 ‘Ijele’ is the biggest masquerade in Igbo culture and it only appears on rare occasions to infuse more life into festivals. Flavour uses this cultural references to describe his music’s tendency to impress... 

[...]

Flavour shows his versatility on Ijele – The Traveler by immersing himself into the pop scene without tainting his high-life style. This allows him expand his already wide spread fan base and really challenges Afropop artists to do better or before all their fans change camp."

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Excerpt #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-jG2yqR84U&ab_channel=LyonMackTV
Interesting Things About Flavour As IJele 1 Of Africa Findout [Biggest Masquerade In Igboland]
Lyon Mack TV, Premiered Jul 14, 2020

"Many people refer to flavour as the ijele 1 of Africa but don't really know why he is called so, In this video, I will be sharing with you reason why flavour is referred to as the biggest masquerade from the eastern part of Nigeria."
-snip-
Here are two comments from that vlog's discussion thread
1. Lura Blair, 2020
"I love the. Ijele is nice just like flavour he is as pretty as the Ijele i 💘 him very much"
-snip-
This comments echoes the video blogger's statement that “Flavour has the beauty of Ijele”. [5:40-5:54 in that video]

**
2. Sylvia Guy, 2020
"Flavour ljele big snake of Africa da boss"

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Excerpt #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjEFGpnkL38&ab_channel=OfficialFlavour
Flavour - Ijele (Feat. Zoro) [Official Video]

Official Flavour, Dec. 26, 2017 

1. Comic EmmAn, 2018
"first 2k view...

dope music... aw many likes for Flavour, ijele Africa"

**
2. The Superkids.2018

"Ijele 1 of Igboland!"

**
3. Luigi Kings, 2019
"The only Ijele of Africa, Flavour na abania, you no get rival, more wisdom"
-snip-
A number of commenters in that video's discussion thread critized that video because it was filmed in a poor neighborhood and didn't include the Ijele masquerade or any of the beauty and grandeur of that masquerade. Here's a  comment exchange that documents those opinions:

1. iheanyi1, 2018
"The video did not rightly depict the concept of Ijele. Ijele is the zenith of grandeur. There ought to be grandiose dances, majestic and colourful masquredes. Daintiness. It's not about depicting local environment and culture, but what aspect appropriate for the Ijele . E nwere nnukwu mmonwu. Nnukwu Mmonwu futa, obodo agbama oso, otimkpu ana-eti gara gara wu ugwueze."
-snip-
Google translate from Igbo to English:
"There is a big gap. Big Mmonwu came out, the city of refuge, the screams went louder and louder."

**
Reply
2. 10million subscribers, 2018
"iheanyi1 I don't know anything about the tradition or the meaning of "ijele" though, so am just saying I feel the song that's all"

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Reply
3. iheanyi1, 2018
"It is okay. I am Igbo and as an Igbo, I expected Ijele to be about Ijele. Its like singing a love song without any reference to love."

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Excerpt #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN0hSjZ_7fQ&ab_channel=OfficialFlavour
Flavour - Good Woman (Official Video)
Official Flavour, March 31, 2021 [comments] 
1. alex Moses, 2021
"Always on point Flavour IJele 1 of Africa"

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2. Jonahobioha212, 2021
"Ijele Africa I salute u, u are unique, more power to ur strength."

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3.  Ogoamaka Anagbogu, 2021
"Flavour  you are a talent, the greatest musician in Nigeria and a blessed young man. Jesie ike nna. You are our ORIGINAL IJELE!!!! 

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Comparing Igbo (Nigerian) Masked Dancers Accompanied By Drums & Flutes To Caribbean Junkanoo

Mac Dee, Nov 30, 2008

Wonderful performance by one of the Igbo cultural troupes. This one from Udi in Enugu State, Nigeria.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about Igbo people and showcases a video of Igbo traditional dancers performing to flute and other musical instruments. 

Selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post with special attention to comments that refer to how this dance performance is similar to  Caribbean cultures, and in particular to Junkanoo festival performances.

The Addendum to this post includes information about Junkanoo (Caribbean festivals) since a commenter noted that this video was "the splitting image of Junkanoo".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-This pancocojams series was inspired by comments in https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/03/african-other-sources-of-african.html about West African flutes being sources of or influences for the African American fife and drum music traditions.  

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INFORMATION ABOUT IGBOS 
From https://theculturetrip.com/africa/nigeria/articles/an-introduction-to-nigerias-igbo-people/ [retrieved March 4, 2021]
"The Ibo or Igbo people are found in southeastern Nigeria and have many interesting customs and traditions. With a population of around 40 million throughout Nigeria, they are one of the biggest and most influential tribes. Igbos are well-known for their entrepreneurial endeavours, both within Nigeria and around the world.

[…]

In Nigeria, Igbos inhabit an area referred to as Igboland, which is divided into two sections along the lower River Niger. They live in most or all parts of five states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, as well as minor parts of Delta, Rivers and Benue states. Small Igbo communities are also found in parts of Cameroon and Equitorial Guinea.”…

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWxPA077zw&ab_channel=MACDEE

These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.

1. uk4word, 2013
"IGBO KWENU"
-snip-
From http://www.kwenu.com/publications/iroegbu/2007/concept_kwenu.htm "The concept of Igbo Kwenu in Igbo culture, identity, and shared representation by Patrick Iroegbu Friday, June 15, 2007

"A common linguistic analysis may help us to understand the phrase “Igbo kwenu.” Here we have two words: ‘Igbo’ and ‘kwenu.’ The term “Igbo” refers to Igbo people – men and women of all ages of tradition and modernism. On its own, “kwenu” as a word refers to agreement, endorsement, solidarity, unity, bondedness, strength, collective will.

The conception of the idea to stay together as a community and act as one is very important for the Igbo...

the Igbo assert their emotions and psychology together through calls to order of solidarity such as invoking the “Igbo kwenu.”
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/10/excerpts-of-articles-that-explain-what.html for a 2015 pancocojams post entitled "What "Igbo Kwenu!" Means". 

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2. Agusm 2013
"I Just LOVE these dancers and masquarades. Chineke gozie ndi Igbo. Amen.

God bless the Igbo people."

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3. Dav Gar, 2018
"Now am convince we Jamaicans are igbo....this is a splitting replica of our jankouno dance in jamaica

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Reply
4. LaMar McNeil, 2018
"Genetics have proven the majority of Jamaican ancestry comes from the Igbo."

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Reply
5. WestIndianMalkah, 2019
"Yes it is!!!!!!"

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Reply
6. WestIndianMalkah, 2019
" @Boi  also yoruba and congo ehtnicity. Theres an area called calabar in jamaica, also whydah, als abeokuta,  accompong, among other place names in particular areas."

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Reply
7. Ngum Ngafor, 2019
"@WestIndianMalkah  I've seen a video of Abeokuta. Never knew of Calabar."

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Reply
8. WestIndianMalkah, 2019
"@Ngum Ngafor  Yes there were quite a few people who came over to jamaica from an area called Calabar, from my research it was from the Old kalabar kingdom, being of the Efik and ibibio. This proves true for me as ive discovered 2 dna relatives of mine and my mom who said they are Ibibio"

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Reply
9. Ngum Ngafor, 2019
"@WestIndianMalkah  Didn't even know Calabar was a kingdom. Thanks for this. Will check out more."

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Reply
10. WestIndianMalkah, 2019
" @Ngum Ngafor  yes look up old calabar kingdom. Theres been so many migrations, seperation, wars, etc. So names change, people merge, move, etc"

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Reply
11. Malik El Shabazz, 2019
"@LaMar McNeil  Mostly Ashanti than Igbo"

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Reply
12. Onye nsogbu, 2019
" @Malik El Shabazz    Igbo people sold more slaves to the new world than any other African ethnic group...Go and check British archive."

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Reply
13. Dozie Roberts, 2020
"@Onye nsogbu  you are talking rubbish. Mechionu!

Igbo people didn't sell more slaves than yoruba. Rather more slaves were taken from the Bight of Biafra than anywhere else because they believed the Igbos were stronger in physique and strenght than the other tribes."

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Reply
14. Osita Joseph, 2020
"@Dozie Roberts   pure fact"

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Reply
15. mara.iara, 2020
"@Dozie Roberts  And then turned out to be harder to "control". There are records of enslaved Igbos who kept committing suicide and rebelling rather than submit"

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Reply
16. Anita Sanchess, 2020
"Yeah even Jamaican patois has UNU meaning YOU PEOPLE in Igbo language, but I heard people are trying to remove it or scrape it out."

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Reply
17. Krunkerino 1, 2020
"WestIndianMalkah An Igbo person created the place called Abeokuta and calabar is not Yoruba.

God bless the Igbo people"

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18. Onye nsogbu, 2019
"Watch these Igbo music and Tradition: 

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WBuVzIXFdLc

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zHvfLtCnJWY

-snip-
Here are a few comments from the first discussion thread that onye nsogbu gave:

IGBO CULTURE & TRADITION: An Overview
Jerry Osuji, Sept. 10, 2018

a) Stephanie Francis, 2019
"I can see 'where we in the Caribbean get  some of these dance  from, it is in the blood"

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Reply
b) Chiazo Odu, 2020
"Stephanie Francis yep"

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Reply
c) Stephanie Francis, 2020
"@Chiazo Odu  can you help me with these names , i did my DNA and these names show up they are Akuwah  Nwachi where are these names originate from?"

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Reply
d) Daniel Okeke, 2020
"Stephanie Francis it’s originally from igbo tribe in Nigeria. That’s Igbo names."

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Reply
e) Daniel Okeke,2020
"Stephanie Francis you can call someone, nwachi or nwachukwu. You can also call someone akuwah or akunwa."

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Reply
f) Queeneth Anyanwu, 2020
" @Stephanie Francis  they are basically Igbo names given to any1 from eastern Nigeria. Akuwah means wealth of the world or world wealth, there are different variations to it like, Akunwa meaning wealth of a child, Aku means wealth. Nwachi means child of God, Nwa means child while Chi is God and it also has different variations too. I hope this helps, all the best."

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Reply
g) Stephanie Francis, 2020
"Thank you  all below for explaining for me I appreciate it !!"
-snip-
The second link that gave is a 2011 sound file entitled "Chief Osita Steven Osadebe- Ana Masi Ife Uwa".

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Visitor comments are welcome.

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ADDENDUM: INFORMATION ABOUT JUNKANOO
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkanoo
"Junkanoo is a street parade with music, dance, and costumes of mixed African origin in many islands across the English speaking Caribbean every Boxing Day (26 December) and New Year's Day (1 January). These cultural parades are predominantly showcased in the Bahamas where the music is also mainstreamed, and competition results are hotly contested,[1] There are also Junkanoo parades in Miami in June and Key West in October, where local black populations have their roots in the Caribbean. In addition to being a culture dance for Afro-North Carolinians[2] and the Garifuna people,[3][4] this type of dancing is also performed in The Bahamas on Independence day and other historical holidays.

Dances are choreographed to the beat of goatskin drums and cowbells.

History

The festival may have originated several centuries ago, when enslaved descendants of Africans on plantations in The Bahamas celebrated holidays granted around Christmas time with dance, music, and costumes. After emancipation the tradition continued and junkanoo evolved from simple origins to a formal, organised parade with intricate costumes, themed music and official prizes within various categories.

The origin of the word junkanoo is disputed. Theories include that it is named after a folk hero named John Canoe or that it is derived from the French gens inconnus (unknown people) as masks are worn by the revelers.[5] Douglas Chambers, professor of African studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, suggests a possible Igbo origin from the Igbo yam deity Njoku Ji referencing festivities in time for the new yam festival. Chambers also suggests a link with the Igbo okonko masking tradition of southern Igboland, which feature horned maskers and other masked characters in similar style to jonkonnu masks.[6] Similarities with the Yoruba Egungun festivals have also been identified.[7] However, an Akan origin is more likely because the celebration of the Fancy Dress Festivals/Masquerades are the same Christmas week (December 25–January 1) in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana and also John Canoe was in fact an existing Ahanta king and hero that ruled Axim, Ghana, before 1720, the same year the John Canoe festival was created in the Caribbean.[8]"...

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Igbo Names That Refer To Mother Or Father (with comments about the meaning of the name Nnekata, the title of Flavour's 2017 Highlife song)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Update: July 4, 2018- This Update includes a comment exchange that corrects my mistaken guess that the name "Nnekata" in Flavour's song of that title means "motherhood is great". I've also embedded that video in this post since I referenced it here.

Latest update August 3, 2018 - I considered deleting this post, but decided not to although I now understand that "Nnekata" isn't a name. I'm retaining this post because the examples of this sub-set of Igbo names may be of interest to non-Igbo speaking people in the USA and elsewhere. And I think that the exchange of comments about the word "Nnekata" (which seems to be used as a name in the embedded video's comment thread) may be of interest to some readers.

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This pancocojams post presents a list of Igbo (Nigeria, West Africa) given names that refer to mother or father. Note that some of the names that refer to father may also refer to God the Father.

The Addendum to this post provides quotes from a YouTube discussion thread for Igbo Highlife artist Flavour's song entitled "Nnekata" and my comments about those quotes.

The content of this post is presented for onomastics and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/09/words-for-father-mother-in-various.html for Part I of a related pancocojams series entitled " Words For Father & Mother In Various African Languages (A-L)". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/09/words-for-father-and-mother-in-various.html for Part II. Part II provide entries for languages from M-Z.

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FEMALE IGBO GIVEN NAMES THAT REFER TO MOTHER
Source: https://maternitynest.com/nigerian-baby-names-igbo-names-girls/ Nigerian Baby Names 320 Igbo Names For Girls , March 17, 2016

Adanne - her mother’s daughter*

Ezinne- good mother

Nnebuife- mother (hood) is great

Nnedi- mother (hood) is beautiful

Nneka - mother(hood) is great

Nnekasi- Mother(hood) is the greatest

Nnenna -Her father’s mother

Nneoma - her father’s mother"
-snip-
*Note that "nna" means "father" in Igbo and "Adanna" means "Her father’s daughter"; "Adannaya" means "her father’s daughter"; and "Ahunna" means "body of her father".

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MALE IGBO GIVEN NAMES THAT REFER TO FATHER
(Note that some of these names may also refer to God the Father)

Echezonanna= Don’t forget your God (your father)

Elochukwukwu/Elonna= God’s thought

Enyinna/Enyinnaya- His father’s friend

Jidenna= Hold on to your God/father

Kaitobenna= Let us praise God

Lotanna= remember the father (God)

Nkenna= belongs to the father (God)

Obinna= his father’s heart

Ogonna= favour from God

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ADDENDUM- WHAT DOES THE NAME "NNEKATA" REALLY MEAN?
I was motivated to research this subject of Igbo given names that refer to mother or father after reading these comments in this discussion thread for the official YouTube music video for Nigerian Highlife artist Favour's song entitled "Nnekata": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZhV0l_NZV0:

Crazyp, April 2018
"What does Nnekata mean? Also much love from the USA, we love the music"

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REPLY
Isaac Chukwu, April, 2018
"Crazyp it means " when I look how endowed you are"

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Crazyp, 2018
"Isaac Chukwu thank you ✊🏿"

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Da Wae, 2018
"What is nnekatas instagram"
-snip-
This comment refers to the woman who played the role of Nnekata in the official video of this song.

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REPLY
Isaac Chukwu, April 2018
"Da Wae it means " looking at your qualities "
-snip-
This comment was (probably accidentally) repeated two times.

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REPLY
Regina C, April 2018
"Her instagram page is ''descushiel ''"
-snip-
UPDATE :July 4, 2018 [Added November 1, 2018: THIS UPDATE INCLUDES A CORRECTION WITH MY APOLOGIES ABOUT MY INCORRECT ASSUMPTION]
Here's the comment that I wrote about the name "Nnekata" with a correction from an Igbo speaker which I just received on this date:
As an African American who is interested in naming traditions, I had picked up (from online reading) the fact that Igbo names are made by combining certain elements. I had learned that the element "nne" in Igbo names means mother and that element can be found as a prefix (at the beginning of a name) or as a suffix (at the end of name). I also had learned that the element "nna" in Igbo names means "father" (or sometimes God the father) and that element could be found as a prefix (at the beginning of a name or as a suffix (at the end of a name).

Therefore, when I saw the song title "Nnekata" performed by an Igbo man, I assumed that that name somehow referred to "mother". I still believe that name refers to mother, and also believe that Isaac Chukwu (whose last name is clearly Igbo) is joking with those who sincerely asked the meaning of that name.

There's no question in that video and song that "Nnekata" is a female name, and that fact also is reinforced by comments in the discussion thread such as the one asking for Nnekata's instagram (or the instagram for the woman acting in the role of Nnekata.

The fact that the "nne" element refers to mother in Igbo names isn't the only clue that the replies that Isaac Chukwu wrote in response to queries about the meaning of the name "Nnekata" are most certainly false. The other clue are the meanings that he ascribed to that name- " "when I look how endowed you are" and "Looking at your qualities".

In Flavour's video, all the woman are what African Americans refer to as "thick", meaning "well endowed", "curvaceous", "voluptuous". However, the woman starring as Nnekata, has the largest butt of all the woman in that video. Hence, Issac Chukwu's fake name meaning.

Although Isaac Chukwu may not have meant that undoubtedly fake definition to be taken as the real meaning of the name, it seems likely that some people (including the first person who posted that query, assumed that Isaac Chukwu was responding in good faith. Given how fast fake information can be accepted as fact after being posted online, even though I'm not Igbo and don't speak that or any other African language, I feel that it is important to try to correct the information posted about that name.

I don't know what Nnekata means,but I think it's likely that it's a form of the female name "Nneka" (meaning "mother(hood) is great".
UPDATE July 4, 2018-
Here's the comment that I wrote in the discussion thread for the video "Nnekata":

Azizi Powell, June 2018
"I'm an African American who happened upon this video yesterday and glad I did. Thanks Flavour for this song and its video!

Like a number of other people who aren't from Africa, I'm interested in learning about the cultures that are shown in African music videos. In addition to watching these videos, I read the comments, hoping to learn more about the songs and the cultures showcased in the videos. Because I and I believe a lot of Black people (and other people) who aren't from Africa sincerely want to learn about African cultures, I'm sorry that it seems to me that two sincere queries about the meaning of the name Nnekata were taken as a joke in this discussion thread by a person who clearly had an Igbo last name (Chukwu). That commenter said that Nnekata meant " when I look how endowed you are" or " looking at your qualities".

From the little bit of information about Igbo language that I've gathered by reading online, I learnt that the element "nne" means "mother" in Igbo. Therefore, my guess is that the female name "Nnekata" is a form of the name "Nneka" which means "mother(hood) is great". Is this right? Would someone please share what "Nnekata" means?

Thanks! One love."
-snip-
Here are the replies to my comment from that discussion thread.
JoStylin, June 2018
"Hi Azizi, I will try and find an answer to your question. My Igbo is not fluent but I will research and find more info for you. God Bless."

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"Gertrude Ig, July 4, 2018
"Azizi Powell the person that first responded to you is correct. Nnekata in this context has nothing to do with 'mother'. Igbo is a context language. Nnekata in this context means literally ' as I look at you'......( you are too much, I am overwhelmed......)"

**
Azizi Powell, June 2018
"Thanks, JoStylin. I appreciate it and I look forward to finding out the meaning of the name "Nnekata"."

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Gertrude Ig, July 4, 2018
"Azizi Powell you are welcome. And try not to 'guess' at my language anymore lol."

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Azizi Powell, July 4, 2018
"Gertrude Ig, I stand corrected with my head bowed and my heart full of gratitude for the fact that you didn't severely scold me for my attempted translation..

There are many people like me in the African Diaspora who watch these YouTube videos of African songs and read these discussion threads and hope to come across comments from people who speak these languages for explanations about what the songs mean.

I glad that you were willing to share that information about this song's title."
-snip-
Gertrude Ig, July 4, 2018
"Azizi Powell no problem. Flavour does more Igbo high life and Phyno, another Igbo artiste does more urban and rap. You may want to check him out, though he talks really fast. His music remind me ALOT of my childhood which to me is the best childhood to have I.e growing up in Nigeria. A lot of wonderful memories and Phyno likes to evoke nostalgia is his music. Caution though - a lot of his earlier stuff is eye brow raising both his recent music is much more popular. Cheers!"

**
Azizi Powell, July 4, 2018
"Gertrude Ig, Daalụ(I got that word from Google translate for Igbo for thank you . I hope it's correct).

It's a thunder & lightning storm here so I'm signing off.

One Love!"

**
Gertrude Ig, July 5, 2018
"Azizi Powell Correct. I read your blog. It is commendable that you are trying to learn Igbo, but you should delete EVERYTHING you said about the Igbo guy who tried to give you the correct translation. It was very unfair and you did not do right by him. He is an actual Igbo and you are not. So reading your analysis of his 'fake translation' pained me a lot. Please delete all you wrote about him. Thanks."

**
Azizi Powell, July 5, 2018
"Good morning, Gertrude Ig.

I don't delete comments on my blog, but I will add your comment

I acknowledge that I made an incorrect assumption that Isaac Chukwu was teasing non-Igbo people with his English translation of the name "Nnekata" and I sincerely apologize to Isaac Chukwu.

I have read some comments online-not necessarily in this discussion- in which Nigerians and other Africans tease or otherwise belittle African Americans . That and the little information that I've read online about the name "Nneka" and the element "nne" caused me to leap to the wrong conclusions.

In the interest of sharing more about your culture, I respectfully ask if Nnkeata in this song is an actual personal name- as I've read Nneka is and/or how "Nnekata in this context has nothing to do with 'mother'. Igbo is a context language. Nnekata in this context means literally ' as I look at you'......( you are too much, I am overwhelmed......) " With the exception of the "ta" ending, are these two words/names pronounced the same?

The reason that I voluntarily curate my pancocojams blog is to share cultural examples of and information about African American and other Black cultures throughout the world. I very much appreciate your exchange of information about this name and the perils of people trying to translate a language when they (including me) only know a little bit about that language that was found online.

Thank you."

**
Azizi Powell, July 5, 2018
"Nnekata". Sorry for the incorrect spelling.
-snip-
Thanks to all of these commenters for responding to my question.

**
Gertrude Ig, August 3, 2018
"+Azizi Powell no it is not a name. In Igbo language two or three things can have the same spelling but different tonal pronunciation. Like the word 'akwa' can mean either egg, bed, dress, cry or to mourn....depending on the way it is used. So Nnekata is simply a verb in this case, not a noun or name."

**
Azizi Powell, August 3, 2018
"Thanks for that explanation, Gertrude Ig.

I really appreciate it.

One love!"

****
My June 8, 2018 comment continued:
Also, after looking at the lists of female Igbo names and male Igbo names that were compiled in the above cited maternitynest.com site, my guess is that the "ta" suffix added to the end of the name "Nneka" is a rather new form of that name. I surmised that because there are no "ta" ending Igbo names included in the list of female names on that maternitynest.com site. However, there were female names ending in "ka", "ma", "da", "ya", "fa", "sa", "ra", "na" or "ia".

There were a few male Igbo names ending in "ta" on that maternitynest.com website:

Chukwucheta- remember me Lord

Akuabata= wealth has come in

Osita/Ositdinma= may good things stay permanent

The other suffixes ending in "a" for male Igbo names on that website were "pa", "na","sa", "ka", "na", "ma", "ha", "ra", "ga", "ya", "la", or ba"

I don't know what the "ta" element means in Igbo names. My guess is that "ta" has a meaning in Igbo names and that meaning would be added to the meaning of the name Nneka to get the meaning for the name "Nnekata".

If you know the REAL meaning of the name NNekata please share it in that YouTube video's discussion thread and/or in the comment section for this pancocojams post.

Thanks!

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Flavour - Nnekata [Official Video]



Official Flavour, Published on Sep 29, 2017

Flavour presents the video for “Nnekata", the eighth track off Flavour's current album, Ijele- The Traveler."

Directed by Tchidi Chikere.

****
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Igbo Names That Refer To God (Nigeria, West Africa)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on African names and naming traditions.

This pancocojams post provides a sample listing of Igbo names from Nigeria, West Africa that refer to God. That compilation is preceded by brief notes about the Igbo language and an overview of traditional Igbo beliefs about God.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT IGBO LANGUAGE
From http://aboutworldlanguages.com/igbo
..."Igbo is one of the official languages of Nigeria. It is spoken in the Southern Delta states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, as well as in the northeast of the Delta state and in the southeast of the Rivers state. In the states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, Igbo is the main language of trade and commerce. It is used in mass media communication such as radio and television in the southern Delta region.

Although Igbo is taught at all levels in eastern Nigerian schools, English remains the principal literary language of the country while [Igbo] remains a spoken and colloquial language. Reading and writing in Igbo is not very widespread. In many urban areas, Igbo is often replaced by Nigerian Pidgin English. Igbo speakers are typically bilingual in English...

The sound inventory of Standard Igbo consists of eight vowels, thirty consonants, and two tones, depending somewhat on the analysis. Igbo has only two syllable types: consonant + vowel (the most common syllable type), vowel or syllabic nasal. There are no consonant clusters and no syllable-final consonants."...

****
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_language
"Igbo ... is the principal native language of the Igbo people, an ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. There are approximately 24 million speakers, who live mostly in Nigeria and are primarily of Igbo descent. Igbo is written in the Latin script, which was introduced by British colonialists. There are over 20 Igbo dialects...
Igbo is also a recognised minority language of Equatorial Guinea....

Igbo is a tonal language with two distinctive tones, high and low....An example is ákwá "cry", àkwà "bed", àkwá "egg", and ákwà "cloth". As tone is not normally written, these all appear as ⟨akwa⟩ in print....

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INFORMATION ABOUT TRADITIONAL IGBO RELIGION
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chukwu
"Chukwu is the supreme being of the Igbo religion. In the Igbo pantheon, Chukwu is the source of all other Igbo deities, and is responsible for assigning them their different tasks. The Igbo people believe that all things come from Chukwu, who brings the rains necessary for plants to grow and controls everything on earth and the spiritual world. They believe Chukwu to be an infinitely powerful, undefinable, supreme deity encompassing everything in space and space itself.

Linguistic studies suggest that the name "Chukwu" or "Chukouuee" is a portmanteau of the Igbo words "Chi" ("spiritual being") and "Ukwu" ("great in size").[1]

Conception of Chukwu
According to the Igbo people from the south-eastern region of Nigeria, Chineke is the creator of the world and everything good in it along with rain, trees, and other plants. Chukwu is a supreme God represented by the sun. The ancient God is not humanized in Igbo tradition belief. Because the Igbo deities Amadioha and Ikenga are masculine, Chukwu is assumed to be male.

Many Igbo Christians refer to the Christian God as Chukwu as well.[2] The Igbo believe it is impossible for humans to conceive of the unlimited power of Chukwu. Many Igbo dialects refer to God by names such as "Chukwu", "Chiokike", or "Obasi."[3]."...

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LIST OF IGBO NAMES THAT REFER TO GOD
Pancocojams Editor Notes:
This list is culled from two sources- Part I: Names From Africa: Their Origin, Meaning, And Pronunciation by Ogonna Chuks-orji, edited and with a commentary by Keith E. Baird (Johnson Publishing Company, 1972) and Part II: http://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/igbo

**
A few of the names in Part I are also given in Part II.

**
Examples in Part I demonstrate how those Igbo names are pronounced, and, by extension, may provide some guidance regarding the pronunciation of the names given in Part II.

**
Notice that multiple names in this list begin or end with "chi" or "chukwu" or contain one of those elements in the middle. These elements refer to God.

**
This compilation doesn't claim to be a complete listing of Igbo names that refer to God. Additions to this list are welcome.

PART I
From Names From Africa: Their Origin, Meaning, And Pronunciation by Ogonna Chuks-orji, edited and with a commentary by Keith E. Baird (Johnson Publishing Company, 1972)

(Note: This book uses the outdated term "Ibo".)

Chinue (CHEEN-weh) God's own blessing, [female]

Chijoke (CHEE-jee-oh-keh), God gives talent, [male]

Chike (CHEE-keh), power of God [male]

Chinelo (CHEE-neh-loh), thought of God, [male]

Chinua (CHEE-no-ah), God's own blessing, [male]

Chioke (CHEE-oh-keh), gift of God, [male]

Chukwuweneka (choo-kwoo-eh-NEH-kah). God has dealt kindly with us, [male]*

Okechuku (oh-keh-CHOO-koo), God's gift, [male]

Onuwachi (oh-noo-WAH-chee), God's world, [male]

Onyebuchi (on-yeh-BOO-chee, (who is God), [male]

Onyemachi (on-yeh-MAH-chi), who knows God's will, [male]
-snip-
Here's an excerpt pertaining to one of these names from that book's commentary section:
"Africans are very religious; thus a family may through the name given to a child be saying that they consider the child's coming as a mark of divine favor, a blessing duly acknowledged in a boy's name such as Chukwueneka, "God has dealt kindly with us" (Ibo, Nigeria), or in the girls name Sibongile, which simply says "Thanks" (Ndebele, Zimbabwe)".

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PART II
From http://www.behindthename.com/names/usage/igbo

A, B
Akachi (the hand of God), male & female

Akuchi (wealth from God), male & female

Amarachi (God's grace), female

C, D
Chi (god, spiritual being" in Igbo, referring to the personal spiritual guardian that each person is believed to have. Christian Igbo people use it as a name for the personal Christian god. This can also be a short form of the many Igbo names that begin with this element)), male & female

Chiamaka (God is beautiful), female

Chibueze, (God is the king), male & female

Chibuike (God is strength), male & female

Chibuzo (God leads the way), male & female

Chichi (Diminutive of Igbo names beginning with the element Chi meaning "God"), female

Chidi (God exists; It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chidi), male and female

Chidiebere (God is merciful), male & female

Chidiebube (God is glorious), male & female

Chidiegwu (God is wonderful), male & female

Chidike (God is strong), male

Chidimma (God is good), female

Chidubem (guided by God), male

Chiemeka (God has performed great deeds), male

Chijindum (God holds my life), male & female

Chika (God is the greatest), female

Chike (God's power), male & female

Chikelu (variant of Chikere)

Chikere (God created), male & female

Chima (God knows), male

Chinasa (God answers), female & male

Chinedu (God leads), male & female

Chinonso (God is nearby), male & female

Chinwe (God owns; It is also a short form of Igbo names beginning with Chinwe), male & female

Chinweike (God owns power), male & female

Chinwendu (God owns life), male & female

Chinweuba (God owns wealth), male & female

Chinyelu (variant of Chinyere), female

Chinyere (God gave), female

Chioma (good God), female & male

Chizoba (God protect us), male & female

Chuks (Diminutive of Igbo names beginning with the element Chukwu meaning "God"), male

Chukwudi (Variant of Chidi, using Chukwu as the first element, which is the extended form of Chi meaning "God"), male

Chukwuemeka (God has done something great), male

Chukwuma (Variant of Chima, using Chukwu as the first element, which is the extended form of Chi meaning "God"), male


E, F
Ekenedilichukwu (all praise to God), male & female

G, H

I, J

K, L

M, N
Nkechi (short form of Nkechinyere), female

Nkechinyere ("what God has given" or "gift of God"), female

O, P
Ogechi (Short form of Ogechukwukama), female

Ogechukwukama (God's time is the best), female

Oluchi (God's work), male & female

Onyeka (short form of Onyekachi), female & male

Onyekachi (who is greater than God?), famle & male

Onyekachukwu (Variant of Onyekachi, using Chukwu as the last element, which is the extended form of Chi meaning "God", male & female

Q, R

S, T

U, V
Uzochi (God's way), male

W, X, Y, Z

****
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Comments About The Way Women Dance In A Nigerian Gospel Video

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides selected comments about the way that women dance in the Nigerian Gospel video "Jehovah Na God - Double Double". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/evangelist-chimere-nwenu-jehovah-na-god.html for a pancocojams post about that video can be found at of that video.

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, sociological, and aesthetic purposes.

Thanks to all the dancers who are featured in this video and thanks all those who commented in this video's discussion thread. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/two-versions-of-african-gospel-song.html for a post that features the original Nigerian version of "Double Double" and a Ghanaian version of that Gospel song.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Jehovah Na God- Double Double



Sam Johnson, Uploaded on Jun 6, 2011

Jehovah Na God, When Jesus Say Yes, Lift Him Up & My Lord Is Good
(Double Double)
-snip-
The songs end around 23:09 in the video. An interview with the lead singer Evangelist Chimere Nwenu begins after that. At the end of that interview at 28:52 there are short video clips of other Nigerian singers and dancers. It's likely that these video clips are also of Gospel music, but I'm not sure about that.

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THE WAY WOMEN DANCE IN THIS VIDEO
I've included general comments about dancing in African Gospel videos. However, there is no mention in this discussion thread's comments about how the men dance.

These comments are given in relative chronological order with the oldest comments presented first, except for responses. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers to these comments for referencing purposes.
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foxyxzw1etw

2011
1. sossou11
"This is a good gospel song but the dancers, especially the girls made it seems like a typical secular song! I know it is a marketing strategy to have females in every music video but if you are going to make a gospel music video it would be appropriate to deviate from the secular style, less shaking butt and focus on the gospel itself"

**
2. Gbemisola Adeleke
in reply to sossou11
"@sossou11 i see what u are saying, we dont want want people to be caught up with the wrong message, however, it is there God that gave them there butts, let dem shake it for God if they want too."

**
2012
3. Alena D
"I enjoy African music so much. I was in an African church for about 2.5yrs and the music is so anointed. I like most of this dancing too. But 12:15, is not spiritual. Women must not move their bodies in carnal ways. Perhaps it's the culture but when it comes to God, we must be holy. God bless you all! Rev Alena/USA."

**
4. promise266uk
in reply to Alena D
"Thanks AlenaJolie, the only problem with this video is the vulgar dancing moves. It is not a culture thing, one with the spirit of God in him/her will not dance in such manner to a song praising and exalting the Lord. The truth is that most of these guys behind these products are interested more in the commercial output and not the spiritual output. Anybody with the spirit of God in him/her and living for the Lord will not support such dancing to the Name of Jesus."

**
5. Alexis Rouzard
"The dancing is completely NORMAL for Africans, that is our culture & our way of expressing our joy, when? we are happy & joyous we dance shout & sing.!"

**
6. Nkemakolam Chinwah
"When Jesus says YES, NOBODY CAN TELL HIM NO!!!! DANCE FOR JESUS!"

**
7. Matthew curry
"We must be careful not to attach our western European/ American mindsets regarding worship to this music. None of us know the hearts of those who dance, I don't find the dancing sexually suggestive at all. Though as an american, I'm tempted to do so because of the secular music here in this country. However; "This is not America". and I'm really glad that it is not."

**
8. promise266uk
in reply to Matthew curry
"Thanks 4 your comment. This piece of praise & worship song is a master piece. Western or not, any Christian that understands the text in this song will draw blessings from it. Despite my position about the dancing in the video, I listen to the song almost everyday, it is a massive blessing to me, and reminds me of God's goodness to me. "For the Righteous God knows the hearts and minds of man" (Psalms 7:9b). The Lord knows our inner minds, He knows who is righteous, in our doings & thinkings."

**
9. obijesus
"What a wonderfully exuberant and uplifting gospel Ibo Makossa music. This artist is a skillful blend of talent and spiritual anointing. He is an evangelist who is so powerfully in love with Jesus, and wants to share the news with the listener. It all shows in the deliverance of the music, the cadence of his voice, and the masterful instrumentation that melds with the message and the music."

**
10. obijesus
"would also like to comment on the negative comments about the dancing. At first glance, one might think that it is sexually suggestive like some posters are saying, however, you need to look deeper. These dancers are exuberant with their praise, and their body movement is an expression of that joyous abandon. Their dancing is more cultural than sexy. We do not attach sex to such dancing in our Africa. When dancers want to seduce, you will see it in both their moves and their dressing."

**
11. heavychic100
"Please regarding the comments about the dancers dancing seductively,i want to say that in the presence of God there is fullness of joy.Praising God is so overwhelming that you cant control your bodily movements.David danced unto the lord and even removed all his clothes in his joy,went stack naked all in the name of praising and God appreciated it to d extent that when his wife scolded him God punished her with barrenness all her life( 2 Sam 6;23).So let us not Judge because God knows the heart."

**
2013
12. Jeremiah Mbong
"Well, that is how we dance in Church, you can interprete it however you want. All we have to give to God is Praise and praise is what they are doing! Do you know Jehovah is God? I sure do, than you so much for this music, it makes my day in this place called America!"

**
13. Kuh Milo
"Booty shaking Makosa dance is Baal worship. Get it! Friendship with the world is enemity with God. WOULD YOU DO THIS VOLGA MAKOSA DANCE BEFORE YOUR OWN FATHER? HOW MUCH MORE THE ALMIGHTY GOD. WOULD YOU?"

**
14. musictemple1
in reply to Kuh Milo
"You haven't answered my question bro/sis, let me repeat again in case if you didn't understand what i meant before, i said is there any portion of the BIBLE where is was written the type of dance we must offer to the LORD ? booty shaking ? so one will stand a like electric pole when dancing ? dear you better free your self and worship HIM with all your heart, those kids dancing are appreciating the LORD..."

**
15. AURE SAVIOUR
"THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE DANCERS BUT WE PEOPLE HAVE A WRONG MIND SET IN WATCHING THEM DANCE FOR GOD."

**
16. ladyarlene1
in reply to AURE SAVIOUR
"King David danced before the Lord and it pleased God. i think this is beautiful and uplifting to my heart. we all worship in our own way... no one should ever put down another's way."

**
17. Lordskeep
in reply to AURE SAVIOUR
"What's wrong with girls dancing? it's for Jehovah our God..Let them Dance for him : )"

**
18. Charles Nyeko, W.M.
"Nothing wrong with the dancing styles or dressings of the dancers or anybody in this video. When praising God please don't expect us to stand still like Chinese soldiers on parade! We praise our Lord with all the excitements and jump and kick.

Praise be to God. Thank you Brother for this wonderful songs and greetings to all the dancers and other people who helped in developing this video."

**
19. Richmoore William Barry
"THOSE WHO SAY THAT THE DANCE IS BAAL DANCE ARE OFFENDING THE ALMIGHTY GOD FOR SAYING SO......... AND LET ME ASK THOSE DOMED PEOPLE, WHICH PART OF THE BODY SHOULD MAN AND WOMEN SHAKE WHEN PRAISING GOD, I REALLY NEED TO KNOW,,,,,,,"

**
20. Pualine Kerkulah
"as for me i'm not looking at their dancing but the word in this beautiful song..."

**
21. Jeremiah Mbong
"Well, that is how we dance in Church, you can interprete it however you want. All we have to give to God is Praise and praise is what they are doing! Do you know Jehovah is God? I sure do, than you so much for this music, it makes my day in this place called America!"

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Swahili & Igbo Names That Begin With "Sh" or "Ch"

Edited by Azizi Powell

Revised January 19, 2018

This post presents a partial list of traditional Swahili names and Igbo names that begin with "sh" or "ch". Information about the KiSwahili language and the Igbo language are also included in this post.

This post is part of an ongoing series on distinctive African American names and naming practices. Other posts in this series can be accessed by clicking the "distinctive African American names" tab below.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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EDITOR'S COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SERIES
This pancocojams series provides examples and comments about African American naming traditions, including my speculations about why many African Americans have preferred and, in some cases, still prefer certain prefixes and certain suffixes. For example, it's my premise that the large subset of 19th century and, in particular, 20th & 21st century distinctive Black (African American) names that begin with "sh" or "ch" can be at least partially explained by 1. the existence of a large number of Arabic names and traditional African language names that begin with one of those sounds, 2. the existence of pre-1960s mainstream American names and distinctive Black American names that begin with one of those sounds and 3. the mass media attention given to some people or products with those names from the 1970s on.

I was one of the African Americans in the late 1960s who was interested in finding lists of African names so that we could change our "slave names" (European or Hebrew language birth names) to "free names" (names from Arabic or traditional African languages.) In those early days of the Black power movement with its interest in African cultures there was no internet and lists of African names were hard to come by. I recall people in the Committee For Unified Newark, (the cultural nationalist group that I belonged to which eventually was headed by poet, playwright, activist Amiri Baraka, formerly Le Roi Jones), sharing mimeographed (reprinted) copies of African names that we happened to come by. Many of those names were from the Arabic language and others were from KiSwahili, which is largly based on Arabic.

Islam (and therefore the Arabic language) was introduced in northern Africa in the early 7th century, in East Africa by the 9th century, in West Africa in the 10th century, and into Central Africa ( Malawi and Congo) "in the second half of the nineteenth century under the Zanzibar Sultanate. Then the British brought their labor force from India, including some Muslim Indian nationals, to their African colonies towards the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Africa.

My theory is that early on African Americans developed a fondness for the "sh" or "ch" sound at least partly because of their memories of Arabic/traditional African names that begin with that sound, or have that sound within the name or at the end of the name (such as the "sha" suffix. prefix).

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, African Americans who were interested in changing their names to an African name were more likely to find Arabic names than any other African continent names. Those name were considered very acceptable "free names"* for afro-centric African Americans, whether we were Muslim or not. The conversion of several African American celebrities (particularly athletes and Jazz musicians) to Islam was one reason why Arabic names became known to African Americans. I'm not aware of any book of African names that was published before The Book of African Names (As Told by Chief Osuntoki) was published in 1970. In 1972 another book of African names was published - Names from Africa: Their Origin, Meaning, and Pronunciation by Ogonna Chuks-orji helped introduce African Americans to names from traditional African languages.

This post isn't meant to imply that the majority of distinctive African American names are from the Swahili language or the Igbo languages. In fact, only a small number of distinctive names that African Americans have are from Swahili, and very very few distinctive African American names are from the Igbo language.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/05/arabic-names-that-begin-with-sh-or-ch.html to read more about African Americans and Arabic names.

*"Free names" were names that weren't from European languages or from Hebrew (i.e. common "American names". Those names that were called "slave names".

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE KISWAHILI (SWAHILI) LANGUAGE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swahili_language
"The Swahili language, also known as Kiswahili, is a Bantu language and the first language of the Swahili people. It is a lingua franca of the African Great Lakes region and other parts of Southeast Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[7] The closely related Comorian language, spoken in the Comoros Islands, is sometimes considered a dialect.

Although only around fifteen to fifty million people speak Swahili as their first language,[8] it is used as a lingua franca in much of Southeast Africa. Estimates of the total number of Swahili speakers vary widely, from 60 million to over 150 million.[9] Swahili serves as a national or official language of four nations: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its dialects are used as official languages in Comoros - Shikomor and Mayotte - Shimaore. It is also one of the official languages of the African Union and East African Community.

A significant fraction of Swahili vocabulary is derived from Arabic through contact with Arabic-speaking Muslim inhabitants of the Swahili Coast.[10] It has also incorporated German, Portuguese, English, Hindustani and French words into its vocabulary through contact with empire builders, traders and slavers during the past five centuries."

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE IGBO LANGUAGE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_language
"Igbo ... is the principal native language of the Igbo people, an ethnic group of southeastern Nigeria. There are approximately 24 million speakers, who live mostly in Nigeria and are primarily of Igbo descent. Igbo is written in the Latin script, which was introduced by British colonialists. There are over 20 Igbo dialects. There is apparently a degree of dialect leveling occurring."

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SOME SWAHILI NAMES AND SOME IGBO NAMES THAT BEGIN WITH "SH" OR "CH"
Note: This lists aren't meant to be comprehensive.

The names are given in alphabetical order from each source. Each name is given only one although they may have been included in other sources given and elsewhere online or in print.

Note: These names may be pronounced differently in the United States as Americans usually emphasize the second syllable of each word, including names. I've found that many traditional African names use the same vowel sounds as in Spanish (a=ah, e=a, i=e, o=o, u=oo)

SWAHILI NAMES
Note: This list doesn't include examples based on Arabic names. Many of those names are included in the pancocojams post on Arabic names whose link is given above.]
From http://www.babynamescountry.com/origins/swahili_girl_baby_names3.html
[female names]
Shanee - a form of Shany
Shani - a form of Shany
Shanie - a form of Shany
Shanny - a form of Shany
Shany - marvelous,wonderful
-snip-
From http://www.top-100-baby-names-search.com/baby-names-kenyan.html
Female - Chagina brave one
Female - Chiku chatterer Swahili
Female - Chriki blessing Swahili
Female - Chinira God receives Swahili
Female - Shauri - counsel; advise
Female - Shauriana - counsel; advise
Male - Shomari - forceful

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IGBO NAMES
From http://www.top-100-baby-names-search.com/nigerian-names-meaning.html
Igbo (Nigerian)
Male - Chetachukwu - remember God
Male - Chibueze - God is king
Female - Chichima - sweet and precious girl
Male - Chidubem - God lead me on
Male - Chiemeka - God has done well
Male/Female - Chigoziem - God has blessed me
Male/Female - Chikanma - God is the best
Male/Female - Chikezie - God's will is supreme
Male/Female - Chilotam - God remembered me
Male - Chimaobi - God knows the heart
Male/Female - Chimbuchim - God is my God
Male - Chimezie - let God done it
Female - Chinenyenwa - God gives child
Female - Chinechezirim - God thinks good of me
Female - Chinelo - God remembers me Igbo
Male/Female - Chinmakodim - God knows my condition
Female - Chinwe - God is the owner
Female - Chinyere - Chi is the giver
Male/Female - Chisomaga - God is always with me
Female - Chuku of God
Male/Female - Chukwudimma -God is good
Male - Chukwuemeka - God has done well
Male - Chukwuma -God knows
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The prefix "Chi" in these Igbo names is pronounced like the English word "she".

Note the elements “chi” and “chukwu” can also be used as a suffix, and are also found in the middle of names. for instance, [from that same online source quoted above] Male/Female - Sopuruchi - reverence God, Male/Female - Ogechukwukana - God time is the best, - Male - Okechuku - God's gift, and Female - Ginikachukwu - who is greater than God?

"Chinua" is another Igbo name. That name became known in the United States because of the Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart and other books. Here's information about that name from http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Chinua
"[ 3 syll. (c)hi-nua, ch-in-ua ] The baby boy name Chinua is pronounced as CH-IY-Nuw-aa- †. Chinua has its origins in the African-Igbo language. It is used largely in the African and Igbo languages. The meaning of the name is 'God's blessing'. It is derived from the word Chi which means 'God'. "

Also, with regard to the Yoruba language of Nigeria, note that "The other common problem areas [in pronouncing Yoruba words and using Yoruba pronunciation rules in speaking English] are the ‘ch’ and ‘sh’ sounds. Yoruba does not have the letter ‘c’ in its alphabet. But there is ‘s’ pronounced ‘si’ and then there’s ‘Ṣ’ pronounced ‘she’. Can you see where the confusion gets in? ;-)" http://www.yorubagirldancing.com/2010/11/15/the-h-factor/ [This website is no longer available.]
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An example of a Yoruba name in which the "s" is pronounced "sh" is "Folasade". The Nigerian/British vocalist "Sade" popularized the nickname for the name "Folasade" (meaning: honor bestowes a crown; "ade" is a Yoruba element that means "honor".)

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EDITOR'S COMMENT
Although I have showcased some Igbo names as examples of traditional African names that have the "sh" or "ch" prefix, it should be noted that Igbo names aren't that common among African Americans. My guess is that this is because 1. information about and lists of Igbo names weren't easy to find in the United States before the 2008 or even later when that content was placed on the internet, 2. Many Igbo names have more than three syllables and most Americans (including Black Americans) prefer names and other words that have two or three syllables, 3. Igbo includes a number of names with the "u" (pronounced "oo") sound and most Americans, including African Americans, appear to dislike the "u" sound in words, including names, perhaps because of the words "ugly" and the word "ugh". A relatively recent exception to (what I believe) is African Americans' tendency not to begin (or end) names with the letter "u" is the name "Unique" (with several different spellings.) "Unique" is an example of African American names that demonstrate the parents' positive attitudes about their child and their hope that their child becomes a person who stands out in a crowd for positive reasons.

As to which traditional African language were the source of names that African Americans knew about, chose for themselves and others, and/or gave to their children in the late 1960s/1970s, I'd say - starting with the most commonly used names - Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast), Yoruba (Nigeria), and Zulu (particularly the name "Shaka" ["Chaka"] which was a male name but was popularized by an African American female singer).

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