Author(s) :

Butoto Imani wa Rusaat, Ngulwe Tumaini wa Rusaat.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This preliminary study focuses on the anthroponymy of the Fuliiru people, a tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The objective of the study is to analyze the significance of the names of Mihuhi descendants in order to advance Fuliirulogy, an interdisciplinary domain that integrates sociology, anthropology, ethnography, history, language, literature, culture and folklore of the Fuliiru people. Through individual and semi-structured interviews with Mihuhi descendants, we gathered 200 names, of which only 97 were in Fuliiru. We categorized them into distinct groups based on their expression or sentiment. These categories encompass (1) names that express fear, suffering, and sadness; (2) names reflecting the circumstances of the individual’s birth, childhood, or growth; (3) names conveying joy, desires, emotions, and experiences of the parents or family associated with the child’s arrival; (4) those describing the child’s physical appearance; (5) those signifying assistance or mutual support; (6) those expressing gratitude towards God and other deities; (7) those denoting malignity; (8) those symbolizing unity; (9) those praising the child’s beauty; (10) those associated with twins ; (11) names that denote mockery; (12) Names that reflect the child’s personality ; and finally, (13) other names. This study emphasizes the significant function of names as vectors of culture, history, and identity. This research strengthens the domain of ethnoscience, particularly in Fuliiru anthroponymy.

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