Diawo

69 A Handbook of African Names Ivory Coast Onomatological Dynamism: The Example of the Betes The Betes number some 300,000 people centered in the West of the Ivory Coast (Issia, Soubne, Gagnoa, Oulagahio. .)• A Bete name is a message, a . language, a means of communication. It reflects a psychological as well as a sociological setting and responds to a symbolical universe. Names are very important to the Bete. A name helps him to situate himself conveniently in his society and to locate himself in his ontological world. A child who dies before it is time for him to be given a name is not given a proper burial. This is because the child has not yet been formally initiated into the world of the living. Among some Betes a child is given a name as soon as it utters its first cry, which is regarded as an expression of its desire to part with the world of the ancestors and join the world of the living. A group of elders is responsible for choosing and bestowing a name to the child. The father, as a rule, is a member of this group. The mother, on the other hand, is not a member, although she can influence the choice of the name her child is eventually given. The group of elders is composed of the child's grandparents. Both the matemal and the paternal grandparents give names to the child. But it is generally the name given to the child by the paternal side which gains currency, usually the name given by the father. Circumstances and events dictate when the other names are used. For instance, the mother and members of the matemal relatives usually stick to the names they give during the naming ceremony. Of particular significance to the Betes are nicknames. This is especially the case with the Gagnoa Bete. Bete nicknames are derived from the physical or moral traits of the individual. As a child grows his personality develops and reveals itself fully. Gradually the child finds himself the possessor of several nicknames given him by members of his community. Some of these early nicknames may be mildly offensive, but are not meant to hurt. Other nicknames may have some serious moral values or social implication. These values, as have been alluded to, may derive from the physical or mental attributes of the child or adult. This is exactly the case with nicknames that 70 A Handbook of African Names portray the physical quahties or aspects of an infant: Big head, Big nose, Big ears. Big eyes. Other nicknames commonly found include: Zekle — cock, quarrelsome; Soukou —quarrelsome; Kekeleme Sou-A strong individual. Other circumstances and conditions give rise to other types of nicknames. For example, Weieakou is a nickname given to a wife by the husband. It means "all women, except my wife, can go to hell.'* Lessou — Source of wealth, is given to a hardworking woman who helps the family. Bete Names and their Sources Bete names are derived from three main sources: (a) Animal sources: If, for instance, before the birth one of the parents dreams of an animal, e.g. Bleza — — Wild Bear, Ble Buffalo (b) Abstract sources: — Lago God — Oyourou The black — Oza The red