Ethiopian Names

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Ethiopian Names. 1. Ethiopian Names. Grades 4-6. Overview. Children in Ethiopia are named in a much different manner than children in. America.
Ethiopian Names Overview Children in Ethiopia are named in a much different manner than children in America. It is important to understand how Ethiopians are named so that you know how to address them properly.

Objectives •

Students will explore their own names and analyze the differences in the way Ethiopians and Americans name their children.

Activities •

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The teacher will lead a discussion about how students were given their names. (Ex. Named after someone, inherited their father’s last name…) The teacher will explain that their friends in Ethiopia are named in a much different way. (See attached handout-What’s in a Name?) The students will work individually to determine what their name would be if their parents named them using the Ethiopian method. Each child will share their new name and the teacher will lead a discussion on the challenges that this might bring about in our culture. Students will divide into small groups and work together to create a Venn Diagram using the American and Ethiopian method of naming children.

Grades 4-6

Materials •

Handout What’s in a Name?



Markers



Large Chart Paper

Vocabulary •

surname



generation



inherited



Waizero/Woizerit



Ato

Adaptations •

Interview other staff and students in the building to determine what their name would be using the Ethiopian method of naming children.

Evaluation Students will present their Venn Diagrams to the class.

Ethiopian Names

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What’s In a Name? FACTS: •

In Ethiopia, most people have two or three names o one or two surnames (like our last names) o a given name (like our first names)



In Ethiopia, a person’s surname is not inherited from generation to generation. In American culture, last names are typically passed down from father to child. In Ethiopia, a person’s surname is his father’s given name. For example: If your father’s name was John Patterson and your given name was David, your name would be David John. Sometimes, if needed, the paternal grandfather’s name is added too. If David’s grandfather’s name was Stuart, David’s name would be David John Stuart.



In America, you call your teacher by his last name, or surname. For example: Doug Jones would be Mr. Jones. However, if you did this in Ethiopia, you would be referring to Doug Jones’ father. Therefore when addressing someone with respect, you would use the following: Men:

Ato (first name) Ato (Aww toe) means Mr.

Women:

Woizero (first name) Woizero (way zuh row) means Mrs. Woizerit (way zuh reet) means Miss

Interesting Tidbit Traditionally, women in America change their last name when they marry. But women in Ethiopia, do not change their surname when they enter into marriage. They simply become Woizero.

Ethiopian Names

A Twist in the Story Children will sometimes answer to two different names, one name that was given at birth and typically used at home and another that is given at an older age and used at school.

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