Friday, June 1, 2012

"Keza"


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)

1 comment:

  1. 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!!

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