CLASSIFICATION OF IBIBIO NAMES

ABSTRACT

This research entitles the classification of Ibibio names. It focuses on the naming system and classification of these names in Ibibio land. Naming is a very important aspect of Ibibio culture which could be as a result of one’s birthplace, family deities, situations at birth, physical appearance, days of the week. Therefore, the Ibibio’s consider naming as a very crucial aspect of their culture. Many names in Ibibio have a nostalgic and sentimental symbolism but nevertheless articulate definite messages therefore naming in Ibibio has its intending meaning. The research method adopted is qualitative and descriptive analysis using the procedure of elicitation to gather data. It was discovered that the Ibibio’s pay high attention to their naming system and this is reflected in the kinds of name they bear. This work is intended to broaden the knowledge of linguists, anthropologists, students of linguistics etc on the naming system of the Ibibio’s. Further research could also be carried out on the semantic implications of Ibibio names.

 INTRODUCTION
A name is an identification mark. A name points out history, culture, sex (sometimes, religion of a person, it is “a word or group of words by which a person, place or thing is known” (New Webster dictionary).

Names in Ibibio are given considering many things e.g. instances of birth, time of birth, specific events surrounding a child’s birth, reincarnation, family events etc. This information is  what facilitated this task of classifying Ibibio names. Names, apart from their lexical meaning individually, also portray the grammatical structure f their language. The effects span to spiritual, emotional, psychological, moral, physical and cultural relevance. A typical Ibibio child usually has three names – his given name, his father’s name who usually becomes his second name, and then his family name which will serve as his surname. This surname is usually the grandfather’s name or the adopted name of the family. Furthermore, a child is usually given an Ndem name (name of a god) exclusive to the family and it is the only name a person cannot change.

THE IBIBIO PEOPLE

The Ibibio speaking community have their habitation in the extreme southeastern corner of Nigeria and today they are the fourth largest ethnic group after the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. This point is affirmed by Essien (1987). The Origin of the Ibibio is not know according to Udo (1983:2) but it has been suggested that the name Ibibio is Ibibio in origin. The word has its meaning(s) as short, brief, of/and precise. It is believed that the Ibibio people do things in direct precise ways. Their language also is brief as one word may represent many things but differentiated in meaning just by how pronunciations are manipulated, an example is given below:

A         Obong            -           mosquito

            Obong           -           shouts

            Obong            -           cane

            Obong            -           chief

            Obong            -           pimple

B         tem                  -           cook

            tem                  -           cut (grass)

By this, the people think of their names as meaning “the people who do things in a precise, brief manner” Udo (1983:3). Few other examples include:

D         wáná              -           to fight

            Wana             -           to share

F          sán                 -           to fry (garri)

            san                 -           go

Ibibio people number about four million among which are small groups speaking small languages identified as Ito, Itu Mbon Uso, Iwere, father following no great celebration. Names are derived and given considering special events or circumstances, day of week, time of day, names can also be bestowed on children to pre-determine their future, pet names can be given by grand-parents or peer group apart from general names.

Essien, O. (1986:79) says “It is strongly believed by the Ibibio that a name can influence the character and personality of a person who bears it”. He supports this with a saying in Ibibio “anyin asisop owo” that is to say that a name sometimes influences the character and personality of the bearer.

CLASSIFICATION OF IBIBIO NAMES

Many times in Ibibio reflect the religious, philosophical ideas of the people, cultural practices, aspirations, physical and emotional struggles, history. Psychological of the people. Many of such names can be classified thus:

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Ekpe               -           a lion                          -           one who looks strong

Inim                -           a parrot                       -           one who speaks eloquently

Ikid                  -           a tortoise                    -           a clever person

Edi                  -           a pig                           -           a fat person

Ukaan             -           an antelope               -           a lean and tail person

Itu                    -           a manatee                 -           a powerful person

THE PLANT KINGDOM

Ukim               -           silk cotton tree          -           a tail and huge person

Ukana             -           African oil bean        -           a multiplier of the family

Ntuen             -           pepper                       -           a fierce and angry person

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE OF A CHILD

Ubid                -           a dark child

Nkim               -           a dark child

Afia                 -           a light complexioned child

Uyai                -           a beautiful or handsome child

Okpon            -           a huge child

Esema            -           a thing of beauty to the beholder

Eyieubok       -           a beautiful child, fit to be touched only people with

clean hands.

THE VALUE OF LIFE

Nkereuwem              -           I always think of life

Uwemedimo              -           life is wealth

Uwem                         -           life (is wealth)

Ekere                          -          think (of life)

Ekereuwem               -           they think of life above everything else

Mandu                       -           if I live on I shall accomplish our goals

Iyanam                       -           if we live on we shall accomplish our goals

THE ORDER OF BIRTH

Akpan                        -           first born (son)

Udo                           -           second born (son)

Ufot/Udofia                -           third born (son)

Udofot/Udoudo         -           fourth born (son)

Etukudo                     -           Junior of udo; fifth born (son)

Adiaha                      -           First daughter

Nwa/Unwa                -           second born daughter

Anwanwa                  -           third born daughter

Adadiaha                   -           first daughter of the first daughter

Akpapan                    -           first son of the first son

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Ette                            -           a child name after the father

Odoette                     -           a female child dearly loved by the father

Etete/Etebom            -           a child named after the grandfather

Edemeka                   -           a child of a woman married from the mothers

   Side

Eka                            -           a child named after the mother

Ekam, Nne,               -           daughter-in-law

Mmayen                     -           mother-in-law

SEASON, WEATHER OR TIME

Edim                           -           a child born in a rainy day

Ndaeyo                      -           a child born in the dry season or hot day

Ekarika                      -           a child born during the harmattan period

Etukube                     -           a child born on a cloudy day

Ekiko                         -           a child born at cock-crow

Okon/Akon                -           a child born at night

Utin                           -           a child born at sunrise

Offiong                       -           a child born at the day of appearance of the new

Moon

1.2.8 BIRTH PALCES OF CHILDREN

Ndua                          -           a child born in a swamp

Usung                        -           a child born on the roadside

Usungurua                 -           a child born on the road to market

Idim                            -           a child born by the side of the stream

Inwang                       -           a child born in a farmland

Urua                           -           a child born in a market

Ikot/EsitIkot                -           a child born in the bush

Ekpene                      -           a child born in a part of bush or land remarked

   for cultivation in a particular year.

Eshiet                         -          a child born on a cave or compound or another

   Person

1.2.9 PARTS OF THE BODY

Anyin                         -           eye – a child who is expected to be a source of

enlightenment to the family.

Itong                           -           neck – a sustainer of the life of the family

Ebek                           -           chin – a person with unusually long chin

Ekot                            -           octopus – a person with protruding octopus,

symbols or wisdom

Utong                         -           ears – a child expected to be a good listener

Okpo                           -           bone – a bonny person

Iwat                             -           gray hair – a child born during the old age of the

father, child born with gray hair

Ikpat                            -           a child born at the last time his father travelled

on foot

1.2.10 DAYS OF THE WEEK

Afiong/Efiong                       -           a female/male child born on Akwa Iffiong, Ekpri

Offiong

Arit/Edet                     -           a female/male born on Akwa ederi, ekpri ederi

Eyibio/Ayibio             -           a child born on Akwa Ibibio or Ekpri Ibibio

Asukwo/Ikwo                        -           a child born on Akwa Ikwo or Ekpri Ikwo,

(uruabom Edem Obo or Uruatara day)

Etim/Atim                   -           a child born on Akwa Ibibio or Ekpri Ibibio

1.2.11 CURRENCY AND TRADE

Amaokpoho              -           a child who loves money

Okohuikot                  -           a female child expected by the father to bring

plenty of bride price

Adiaokuk                   -           a child whose mother the father spent much

money as a result of sickness before or during pregnancy

1.2.12 REINCARNATION

Akwaowo/Asanga/Usanga                -      a great person; a reincarnated person

Nyong                                                -     a wonderer; a person who has made

at least three incarnations

Ekpoudom                                        -      the ghost of udom; a reincarnated

udom

Umana                                            -        a person who has come to the world

for the second time

Akpabot                                       -           a person who has come to the world

for second time.

1.2.13 CONFLICT

Nsima/Ema/Aniema                        -           who really loves another person as himself

Isaha/Esaha                         -           continue to laugh at me as it pleases you

Usua/Ukobo                          -           a child born amidst hatred and persecution

Nnamso/Mbosowo               -           what harm have I done to them to warrant

all this ill treatment meted to me?

Ubengama                            -           in any conflict, you are bound to support the one

you love

Isok                                         -           continue to oppress me as you like

Eyinimaha                             -           the eyes does not love other person

HAPPINESS/DISREGARD FOR MALE/FEMALE CHILDREN

Seeno                                    -           accept with gladness what God has given tto you

Ekop                           -           have you heard ha a male child is to born to me

Sifon                          -           God knows what is good for me

Ndarake                     -           I do not rejoice (because it is a female child)

GRATIUDE AND INGRATIUDE

Kufre                          -           do not forget your God or favor done to you

Ndifreke                     -           I shall never forget God or favors done to me

Ekefre                                    -           who ever forgets the benevolence of God?

..

..

Efre                             -           people easily forget the good done to them

Anietimfon                -           who ever remembers the good turn done to them by

other people?

­

THE SUPREME BEING

Obot                            -           a child named in honour of the creator

Nseobong                 -           I am looking up to God

Kpereobong              -           be closer to God

Abasiodu                   -           God exits

Anietie                       -           who is like God.

Aniekpeno                -           who would freshly give children as God has done

Edikan                                   -           salvation comes from the lord

Ekomobong              -           thank the lord

Etoro-obong              -           praise God

Ikakke-abasi              -           God is not tired of doing

Otobong                     -           It is from God

Aniebiet-abasi          -           who is like God

Owoidohoabasi        -           man is not God

Absienyene              -           this one belongs to God

Ediyanabasi              -           the deliverance of God

Odudu-abasi             -           the power of God

Utibe-abasi                -           wonderful God

Abasi-ima                  -           loved by God

Mfonobong               -           God’s grace/favor

LESSER DIETIES

Etefia                          -           a child named honour of Etefia (Ikono deity)

Awaitam                     -           a child named honour of Awa (Itam deity)

Anyaan                      -           a child named in honour of Anyaan (deity of Nsit)

Atakpo                        -           a child named in honour Atakpo (Uruan deity)

Itina                            -           a child named in honour of Itina (Iman deity)

Itauma                        -           a child named in hnour of Ituama (Eket deity)

Antia                           -           a child named in honour of Ekoriko (Etinan deity)

Ekoriko                       -           a child named in honour of Ekoriko (Etinan deity)

Isemin                                    -           a child named in honour of Isemin of Mbioto-

Akwa Iman Area.

Edoho                                    -           a child named in honour of Edoho of Afaha Eket

Atin                             -           a child named in honour/dedicated to Orotin

Asan of Idua Oron

Uwa                            -           a child born on a da of sacrifice/dedicated to

UwaObio Okon of Use Abat in Ibiono Ibom

Abasiatai                   -           a child named in honour of the outside god

Nya                             -           a child named in honour of Nya deity of the

Idiong

Idio                              -           a child named in honour of Idio, the god of the

Farm

Abasiekong               -           a child named in honour of the war

Ekanem                     -           a child named in honour of the mother of deities

Ndem                         -           a child at the time of the sacrifice to the gods

FESTIVAL OCCASSIONS

Usenndia                  -           a child born a day of feasting

Usoro                         -           a child born during a period of festivals

Udosen                      -           a second son born on a day an important visitor

visited the father, bringing gifts

Otong                         -           a child born during a festival or ceremonial

occasion featuring the eating indigenous stew called otong

Mbre                           -           a child born on a festive occasion characterized

by plays

Udombre                    -           a second son who takes delight in plays

FARMING, HUNTING AND FISHING

Ndisa                          -           a child born on the day the father’s went stakes

for tending yam vines

Eyop                           -           (oil palm), a child born during the oil palm season

Udia                            -           (yam) a child born during the new yam festival

Inwang                       -           (farm) a child born on the day large number of

people went to work on the farm for the father

Uto                              -           a child born on the day of planting of yams.

Antigha                      -           one who shoots and kills

Iyire                             -           (a fishing net), a geo-getter

Uwat                           -           (paddling) on outcome of the fishing industry

INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Obop                          -           a builder of the family

Ekpat                          -           a bag – a confident of the father

Ukwak                        -           a child as hardy and bonny as iron

Ubuen                                    -           a needle; a child as lean as a needle

Nwed                          -           a book -  a child who is the outcome of

schoolgirl’s pregnancy

Ikpang                        -           a spoon; a carver of wooden spoons

Udok                           -           a child born to a man that claims that when the

he works, others reap the benefits.

SECRET CULTS, SOCIETIES AND WAR

Ekong                                    -           a child born during the time of celebration of the

Ekong (war) society

Iniekong                    -           a child born during a time of war

Edemekong              -           a child born after a war time

Usenekong               -           a child born on the day of declaration of war

Ubo                             -           a child born on the day of peace-making

Out/Otuekong           -           a shield; a defender in war

Ekpo                           -           a child born during the EKpo Nyoho season

Ekang                                    -           a child born when his father was initiated into the

Ekang society

COMMON AND ABSTRACT NOUNS AS NAMES

Mkpa                          -           death

Inemesit                     -           happiness

Idaresit                       -           joy

Idorenyin                   -           hope

Ime                              -           patience

Uko                             -           might

Ata                              -           determination

Eseme                                    -           lamentation

Emem                         -           peace

Usoro                         -           celebration/feast

Ima                              -           love

Mbiam                                    -           oath/cham

Ntong                         -           dust

Isong                          -           land

Akai                            -           forest

Itiat                              -           rock

Ikang                          -           fire

Uyai                            -           beauty

Interestingly, the above classification of Ibibio names reveal that names are derived from virtually all aspects of the culture of the people therefore Essien (1986: 87) rightly states that “Ibibio names reflect almost the entire gamut of Ibibio culture-social economic, commercial, artistic and religious/philosophical”.

A Means of Endearment

A child born into a family besides his/her real name may be named (again) by other members of the family or friends of the family as a sign of affection, or familiarity. Grand-parents especially, enjoy giving endearing names to their grand-children;

in-laws can also be given endearing name some of these names are:

Ebe                 -           A husband; a beloved and respected person

Ebe Eka         -           the husband of the mother

Etokebe         -           a small husband; a young man dearly loved by a

married woman in the family

Ekamma        -           a mother’s mother

Mayen                        -           a young mother

Nneyen          -           a young grandmother

Nwaneyen    -           daughter-in-law

Kokomma      -           mother’s namesake

Ekaette           -           mother of the father

Ikpe                 -           young lad

Edima             -           love ones

A Spur Action

Some names are given to serve as a spur to action or to accomplish a great feat. These names instill in their bearers a sense of great importance because they have contained in them attributes of courage and bravely. An Ibibio proverb attests; “Ekood ayin ukpong Ekpe; eka enem esit” i.e. “ if a child is called “soul of a lion the mother is pleased” Essien (1986: 86).

Some of these names include;

Uko                 -           a brave person

Ekpe               -           leopard

Itiaba              -           Seven (Ibibio regard the number to the mystical

Significance).

Mbakara         -           comely one

Ukoeren         -           brave male

A Source of Remembrance

Names are given as a mark to remember certain events significant to the family history e.g.

Mkpa              -           death: especially if the deceased was an important

person in the family

Udongo          -           sickness; if the mother, father was sick at the time of

birth.

Usoro             -           celebration/feast; born in time of feast

Emem             -           place; if the child was born in time peace.

A Nickname

According to the Lexicon Webster Dictionary, a nickname is a family form of a proper name, as Jim for James; a name added to or substituted for the proper name of the person or place, as in ridicule of familiarity nicknames describe a person, place or thing more vividly and carry a sense of familiarity with what or who is being described. People nicknamed following something spectacular to them (Ukpong 2007: 60).

E.g. shape of body of lifestyle e.g.

Ebek               -           chin; one with extraordinary long chin

Ekot                -           octopus; one with protruding octopus

Nkurikud        -           owl; one with feature like that of an owl

Ebok               -           monkey; one that looks very much like a monkey

Udo money   -           one who boast of influence

Ewa ino         -           dog that steals; one who has criminal tendencies

Inweeng        -           strength; ad thought to have charismatic abilities

Nkakat            -           termit; a resourceful person

Itiat                  -           rock; a hard and strong person

CONCLUSION

Names communicate information about a person’s history, culture and probably character. Great importance and significance are accorded names according to their various classifications and these classifications, in a nutshell, describe the values of Ibibioland in all ramifications of life. Considering also that names can influence one’s personality and character, one should beware of one’s name to ensure that the name one was given only affects one in a positive way else one should change one’s name for a better one.

REFERENCES

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Ekong, E. (1983) sociology of the Ibibio (a case study organization and  charge), scholars press (Nig.) Limited, 109 Mayne Avenue Calabar, Nigeria.

Essien O. (1986); Ibibio names, structure and meanings, Daystar press

Essien O. (2004) “Naming in Nigeria: An Exploration of the Enterprise among some ethnic groups”. Language and Culture in Nigeria: A fetschift for Okon Essien.  Emhai Press, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Udo, E. (1983): Who are the Ibibio? AFRICANA - FEP publishers limited, 79 Awka road Onitsha, Nigeria.

Ukpong E: An enquiry into culture: Ibibio names, Donald Publishers: 32 Umoitong Close Ikot Ebido, Uyo, AKS, Nigeria.

Umoren, U. (1975) Annang, Efik, Ibibio personal names ( a cultural study) Owerri, Black Academic press.

Urua, E. (2000) Ibibio phonetics and phonology; M&J Grand orbit communications Limited and Emhai press, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.