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  • Writer's pictureKristen

Pet Names

Updated: Aug 6, 2019

There is a small kitten that hangs around Ezra’s home. Apparently they do not name their cats and call them all “puss, puss”. J and I are determined to make this kitten our friend and to give him a name. Our efforts so far have been successful as the kitten will now sit on our laps and let us scratch his ears after a few days of preferring to hiss at us.



But Pet Names have a much larger meaning here in this remote part of Uganda. In this area the people are part of the Tooro tribe. It is a small area, maybe similar to a couple of counties in the States. The tradition follows that when a child is born he or she is given a “pet name” simultaneously as their given name. It has nothing to do with personality but is a sign of identity in this part of the world. There are 12 pet names (Abbala, Abbooki, Abwooli, Acaali, Adyeeri, Akiiki, Amooti, Apuuli, Araali, Ateenyi, and Atwooki). Four are distinct only to men but the rest do not have gender attached. When visitors arrive, after 3 days they are given a pet name.

I have learned that using a pet name is a sign of respect. On my last trip I was hesitant to use these as I felt that using it signaled that I was part of an inner circle, much like a family who has secret or nicknames for family members. I have since learned that it is a sense of honor to be called by your pet name. It signifies trust and respect and being a part of a community. Many times when asked your name the pet name is given locally instead of the given names. Husbands and wives don’t use “dear and honey” but almost exclusively call one another by pet names. People greet others they know on the road with a hearty “Koorungi Akiiki” (spelling on koorungi may be suspect) meaning “hello, how are you?”.


Sunday evening we gather for dinner on the porch of Ezra’s home. Overlooking the ever-hazy view of the Ruwenzori mountains and the vast lushness of the valley, meals are always a moment to relax and be thankful for where we are. Ezra and Marjorie join Brian, J and me, as well as Murungi and Kihumuro their sons, and several of the staff that work here. After eating a traditional meal Ezra shares the history of the pet names with us as it was time to give J his pet name. Following our history lesson, the Ugandans all spoke amongst themselves in their local language to determine what name he should be given. Ultimately it was John, the 70+-something caretaker who speaks no English but guards our things with the care of a doting grandfather and does work around the home, that gives J his name. He will be called Ateenyi. With that he is welcomed to the Tooro family and now deemed a part of the community. My quiet, middle child who is wan to show expression, smiles and I can see that he feels the impact of this designation. He is now a part of Ugandan culture.


The days continue full of greeting staff and more stories will hopefully follow soon as we will head out to villages and schools tomorrow. Meanwhile we still continue to look for a name for the kitty. Maybe we should just choose a pet name for him.

With honor and respect,

Amooti

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