A Sociolinguistics analysis on Sukuma Hen names

Abstract

The paper analyses Hen naming system among the Sukuma speech community of Tanzania. Most literature has concentrated on personal, cow, dog, and tree names but not Hen names despite their socio-cultural significance. Thus, this paper accounts for Sukuma Hen names and their associated meaning under the Cognitive Grammar Theory. The researcher used snowball sampling to get six participants. The participants selected purposively included three Hen keepers and three traditional healers from Njingani village of Geita rural district in Tanzania.  Unstructured interviews and focus group discussions were the instruments for data collection. The study found eight Hen names in Sukuma speech community and the associated reasons for their names. These are Jomo, Sagala, and Holasi ''for appearance''; Shingamagaji, 'for beliefs'; Nzoma ‘for color’, kaMende, Mbuni, and Mhando ‘for body size’. From this base, the color, beliefs, and physical appearance determine Hen names in Sukuma speech community. The study concludes that Hen names in the Sukuma speech community are meaningful and they connotate function in accordance with conceptualizations ground.  Further, there is need to conduct a study on the names and the associated factors for Hens that are bred using the new breeding technology.