Scholars International Journal of Linguistics and Literature (SIJLL)
Volume-1 | Issue-03 | 115-120
Original Research Article
Analysis of Female Names among the Tugen Sub-tribe of Kalenjin Community in Kenya: A Linguistic Approach
Dave K. Bowen
Published : Sept. 30, 2018
Abstract
This paper is aimed at analyzing the female names among the Tugen community a Kalenjin sub-tribe in Baringo County, Kenya, East Africa. While proper names are given to people, geographical features, places and some settlements, I will restrict this paper discussion to the names applied to females only. I have divided this paper into the following main sections; a brief description of Tugen sub-tribe, Naming customs, the traditional naming ceremonies, female names and their meaning, elements of Tugen female names and conclusion. This study was based and guided by Semiotic theory. To help deal with the topic, the following questions were asked; Who are the Tugen-Sub tribe? What were the traditions which accompanied naming? What dictated their names? Which female name categories existed? What were the meanings of female names? What were the elements which formed female names? The answers to the questions were the basis of this paper.