A Dictionary of Popular Bali Names

By Koyela Fokwang

A Dictionary of Popular Bali Names is an exceptional minefield of Chamba names, meticulously assembled and expatiated for the curious user. As a pioneer in the field of dictionary-writing in the Cameroon grassfields, Fokwang s third edition counts for more than a regular dictionary. It skilfully combines a short history of the Chamba people in Cameroon as well as ethnographic issues on the naming ritual. John Fokwang s work stands in a class of its own and will serve as reference material for people of Chamba descent and those who favour the use of African names in general. This edition is an exceptionally worthy contribution to the ethnography of the Cameroon grassfields and of course, the growing literature and interest on African names and languages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Langaa RPCIG
• Release date: May 15, 2010
• ISBN: 9789956616732

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Reviews for A Dictionary of Popular Bali Names

[maggaretn1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a good read. Well put together. It is an educational piece on the Bali culture. Interestingly, I found majority of meanings of the names connoting sadness or struggle or death. I wished to have seen more joyful names this generation would love & happily give to their children. I was able to filter through and found some good ones (good meanings), though really few is captured in the book. Unless if that is all we have as a people as regards positive, well meaning, Joyful, light hearted names. Some of the names made me wonder why would a parent name a child after sorrow, conflict, pain, challenges, death, a misfortune in a family, or just declarations of a negative thing. Examples: "No one takes sides with me"
"I'm free from whose hands"
Death in a compound etc
"I have been ambushed " ," I have worsened my problem", I brought this upon myself. Etc
Ah ahhhh what sort of names are these to name an innocent child?

If I may suggest, please write another edition of names with positive meanings this young generation and those to come will gladly use and pass down these names to their children. We understand the meaning of names and that names have an impact on the life's of the ones who bare them. We believe that children act/behave according to the names they are given. It becomes their identity, and words are powerful. As you call them, you are unconsciously declaring this name to come to pass in their life's. Lets give good names to our children. I am a young lady I would love to pick up a copy and see a lot of great names I would want to give to my children and even share with other Bali & non Bali friends. Such that When a child is asked,"what is the meaning of your name, the child would respond boldly, gladly with pride because they know their name proceeds them, it connotes positivity, light, good things, positive declarations or prophesies from the parent to them. Please do more research and make such a copy available. My generation will thank you. We want good traditional names we can give to our children, but we just don't know where to find them and when we find, they are very few in number.

Overall, I found it educative of one's culture and practices. It Keeps culture alive. Thanks for putting it together and publishing it so everyone around the world can have access to it.