I have a Rwandan name! Go mee!! Today on
the way home from my loooong day of Peace Corps training, getting health and
disease information, and being force fed cultural norms, the Peace Corps driver
gave me my new name!! So before I go into the meaning and what it is, I'll say
that most PC Volunteers, if not all, end up leaving their country of service
with a new name (at least that's what happens in Rwanda). It's just something that someone in your
village will give you based on traits that you have or qualities they like
about you. My language instructor was
supposed to give our entire class names, but never did so on the way home
today, the PC driver asked me if I had a name yet. I told him no and he said, "''Good! I
have one for you!" I asked what it
was and he smiled bashfully and said, "Keza" (Keh-zuh; this is my best
attempt at phonetic spelling). I told
him I liked it and asked him what it meant.
After a slight pause, he smiled again and said it means beautiful. It can also mean "meece" (better
than the rest) or son of a queen
(apparently it's a unisex name). I absolutely love it!!! I told him thank you
and he said that now when I meet people, that is the name that I am to
use. He said it'll be a good
conversation starter because Rwandans will always want to know where I got that
name from. Names here are a VERY big
deal and every name means something significant. They even go so far as having baby naming
ceremonies when a baby is born. I really
do love this new name and it certainly beats having to teach people how to say
Dametreea (although I do get rather tickled by hearing them try, especially the
kids).
I had another good day today! The fun just won't stop and I am soo
grateful!
Love and Peace Corps,
Dametreea
(Written on 5/29/12 at 6:50p)
(Written on 5/29/12 at 6:50p)
Keza!!! This name fits you perfectly! You are beautiful and better than the rest. I am amazed by your progress and Im happy I am here to witness you living out your dreams!!
ReplyDelete