• GUMI BORU GEDO

Abstract This article is about naming practices, roles, classifications and dynamics of change in Guji Oromo society. It specifically aims to investigate the socio- cultural roles of names. In personal names there are semantic patterns, cultural and ritual practices. Nonetheless, these dynamics is changing to some extent towards “modern” naming style by ignoring its cultural value. Qualitative research methodology followed in the study. Socio-cultural and linguistic data were collected using key informants. The collected names were analyzed thematically; they were classified based on its references, how it’s given and its semantic value/meaning. Trend analysis was used to show degree of maintenance or endangerment of personal name giving practices. The results of the study show that names, which are often given express the context or the situation or condition during birth. Guji Oromo personal names have meaning. The meanings could be descriptive, associative or referential meaning. The naming in Guji Oromo is slightly changing from cultural or ethnic personal names into religious names, ‘modern’ names and Amharic names. The causes for such changes found to be disparagement, religion, and ‘modernity’ and Amharic hegemony. It was further found that giving cultural personal names to newborn babies were revitalized in the recent years.

Key words: naming, Guji, Oromo, identity, culture

"Personal Naming and Identity Formation in Guji Oromo Culture: Roles, Classification and Dynamics of Change", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 11, page no.315-329, November-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1811A39.pdf

"Personal Naming and Identity Formation in Guji Oromo Culture: Roles, Classification and Dynamics of Change", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 11, page no. pp315-329, November-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1811A39.pdf