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The Chi Concept in Igbo Gender Naming

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

M. C. Ọnụkawa
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Abstract

Gender distinctions in personal names are quite remarkable in African naming traditions. Such names are attractive to linguists and anthropologists alike, especially as they reflect preferences in semantic hierarchy and deeply ingrained gender biases. This article studies the gender naming in Igbo personal names that contain a key religious concept: Chi.

Résumé

Les distinctions de sexe des noms personnels sont assez remarquables dans les traditions africaines de choix du nom. Ces noms présentent un intérêt tant pour les linguistes que pour les anthropologistes, notamment parce qu'ils sont le reflet de préférences en matière de hiérarchie sémantique et de discriminations sexuelles profondément enracinées. Cet article étudie le choix du nom des filles et des garçons à travers les noms personnels Igbo contenant un concept religieux clé : Chi.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 70 , Issue 1 , February 2000 , pp. 107 - 117
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2000

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