What’s in a name?
During my first week here, I was given the opportunity to do something truly special and something I never before thought I would have the opportunity to do.
About two days after all of us bright-eyed and bushy-tailed trainees arrived in the village, a new baby was born into my host family. Of course, everyone was buzzing about the birth and praying for the baby to be happy and healthy.
During dinner one evening, my host father mentioned how good the name was that I gave to the family dog. Here in Malawi, digs aren’t given names as they are not necessarily considered to be more than protection against hyenas and the like. I couldn’t help myself, I named their dog Zoey after my dog back home. Then my host father continued by saying that since I have such good names, I would be picking the name of the newborn baby! How incredible?!
I believe the baby is my host father’s nephew or cousin; the language barrier is still a bit of a challenge and their family dynamics are very different from what I’m used to.
Now, just like in the States, choosing a baby's name here in Malawi is a big deal and a special honor. And they chose me to do it, even with this baby being their firstborn and a son to boot! I told them to give me a day to think about it, which gave me time to talk with some of our Malawian trainers as I was still very unfamiliar with Malawian customs and common names. I spoke in particular to my language instructor Mphatso for examples of strong, meaningful names in this culture.
Malawians are a very religious people, everyone goes to church and participates. That being said, I thought a biblical name would be the way to go. Also Mphatso was telling me that it can be a source of pride for a young man who has a more foreign name to correct people on the pronunciation, so he can kindof be like "Actually you say it like this....." to people and it opens it up for the conversation of how did he get his name. He will be able to brag that his name is a foreign name given to him by an American, which apparently will also be a bragging point.
I was actually getting a little stressed out because I wanted to pick the perfect name. There is a biblical name that I have loved since I was young, and I used to think that if I ever had a boy of my own, this would be it. That name is Malachi.
I wrote up a little note to give to the family that described the meaning behind the name, with help of my language instructor for translation into Tumbuka.
English: Malachi means messenger or angel. Malachi is the author of the Book of Malachi in the Bible and he was the last of the twelve Hebrew prophets. His mission was to reinforce his peoples' belief and confidence in God.
Chimchewa: Malachi amatathauza kuti nneneri wanga. Malachi analemba bukhu la mu baibulo ndipo anali mmodzi wa anereri achiyuda. Nchito yuke inali yolimbikitsa anthu kukhulipilira mulungu.
I went over to visit the adorable new family and christen the baby boy’s name. It was a huge spectacle! All the nearby village women rushed inside and held solar lights above our heads so they could all watch me holding the baby. Here in Malawi, the i's are pronounced as e's, especially at the end of a sentence. So I told them his name and everyone was trying to say it correctly. They kept saying "Malakey...Malakay...No no Malachi...with a hard sounding I...We were all laughing and chanting this adorable baby's new name. Then a chorus started in the surrounding homes with people were shouting, "What's the name??" " Malachi!" "Malachi!" " Malachi!" "Malachi!". Within second of naming this baby, half the village knew his name as it was being shouted from house to house like an elaborate game of telephone. It was a pretty incredible experience and I feel so blessed.
Everyone, meet Malachi Chapita!
