Kikongo Language
Reader Response #2 – Question 1
In the Kikongo language, nommo means word, but it is also “the force that makes things live as what they are” (Kingsolver 209). Everything is present in this world, but once named, it gives them the life that they are named after. For example, a snake has the life it has because it is named snake, while a chicken is not a snake because that is not what it is named. This is why Adah and Leah live different lives despite being twins; they have different names.
All four Price sisters have their Christian names and Kikongo names, which ultimately reflect their personalities and behavior. In Hebrew, Rachel’s name means “ewe.” Later in Scripture, it is revealed that she was naturally beautiful. On the contrary, her …show more content…
In Kikongo, nommo means word, and it is “the force that makes things live as what they are” (Kingsolver 209). As mentioned previously, everything is present in this world, but once named, it gives them the life that they are named after. For example, a snake has the life it has because it is named snake, while a chicken is not a snake because that is not what it is named. Also, it is common for the use of a single name. Muntu, on the other hand, is the word for man or people. More specifically, it refers to the human race. But this does not just apply to living people; it also applies to the dead, the not yet born, and the gods. This idea of naming (nommo) is dissimilar to the western concept of naming. In western civilization, most individuals have a first name and a surname. While for the African concept of nommo, only one name is given. Furthermore, when some babies are born, they are not given a name due to a multitude of reasons, but they still exist in this world; they still live a …show more content…
This statement is true. Everyone is involved in a wrongdoing, whether they know it or not. Orleanna is complicit when she follows Nathan to the Congo. Due to her complicity, her children are also forced to live in Kilanga, where their family self-destructs. Each act committed affects someone else in the world. For example, someone may take the last seat on a bus and somebody else might have needed it to make it to work. Now that guy takes the next bus and is late for work. He then gets fired and is now homeless. Now that he is homeless, he resorts to stealing just to get by. After several weeks of shoplifting, he finally gets caught and is sent to jail; everyone is
In the Kikongo language, nommo means word, but it is also “the force that makes things live as what they are” (Kingsolver 209). Everything is present in this world, but once named, it gives them the life that they are named after. For example, a snake has the life it has because it is named snake, while a chicken is not a snake because that is not what it is named. This is why Adah and Leah live different lives despite being twins; they have different names.
All four Price sisters have their Christian names and Kikongo names, which ultimately reflect their personalities and behavior. In Hebrew, Rachel’s name means “ewe.” Later in Scripture, it is revealed that she was naturally beautiful. On the contrary, her …show more content…
In Kikongo, nommo means word, and it is “the force that makes things live as what they are” (Kingsolver 209). As mentioned previously, everything is present in this world, but once named, it gives them the life that they are named after. For example, a snake has the life it has because it is named snake, while a chicken is not a snake because that is not what it is named. Also, it is common for the use of a single name. Muntu, on the other hand, is the word for man or people. More specifically, it refers to the human race. But this does not just apply to living people; it also applies to the dead, the not yet born, and the gods. This idea of naming (nommo) is dissimilar to the western concept of naming. In western civilization, most individuals have a first name and a surname. While for the African concept of nommo, only one name is given. Furthermore, when some babies are born, they are not given a name due to a multitude of reasons, but they still exist in this world; they still live a …show more content…
This statement is true. Everyone is involved in a wrongdoing, whether they know it or not. Orleanna is complicit when she follows Nathan to the Congo. Due to her complicity, her children are also forced to live in Kilanga, where their family self-destructs. Each act committed affects someone else in the world. For example, someone may take the last seat on a bus and somebody else might have needed it to make it to work. Now that guy takes the next bus and is late for work. He then gets fired and is now homeless. Now that he is homeless, he resorts to stealing just to get by. After several weeks of shoplifting, he finally gets caught and is sent to jail; everyone is