Changing trends in naming practices among the Baganda : a case of clan names

Abstract

This dissertation, with a focus on clan names, investigates the changing trends in personal naming practices among the Baganda. The objectives of this study were to examine the cultural value of Ganda clan names; to investigate the changes in naming practices among the Baganda and to examine the factors for the changes in naming practices. In this study, I used interviewing and document analysis to collect the data. I conducted 15 interviews with Baganda aged 25 years and above. The study was carried out in Kampala and Wakiso Districts in the specific villages of Kawempe-Ttula, Matugga and Ssanga. The findings of this study indicated that clan names serve different purposes, for example; giving a unique identity to the Baganda, it is a form of cultural preservation; it is a way of fighting incest among the Baganda and; clan names promote unity among the Baganda. The study revealed the relevance of maintaining the practice of giving clan names among the Baganda. The study further found that the changing trends in naming practices among the Baganda are initiated by various factors such as education, religion, urbanisation, and advancements in technology, which inspire Baganda to use more contemporary names than clan names. Other factors were the adaptation of the Western culture; and the nuclearisation of families. This study recommends that parents should make efforts to make their children love their clan names by actively using them throughout their development stages and also endeavor to make them aware of the value attached to them.