[quote=Swenani][quote=jguru][quote=Lolest!]Mzungu came, 'civilized' us and left us with new order for everything-including names. Before he came, I understand your name was the name they referred you with at a particular time!
They left us confused, maybe because we didn't quite customise the surname to fit our culture.
Take the example of John Njeru Kimathi. He is John Njeru son of Kimathi. He refers himself as Mr Kimathi.
His wife Kwamboka refers herself as Mrs Kwamboka Njeru. Their daughter Beryl is Beryl Kawira Njeru.
Hence in one family we have Mr. Kimathi, his wife Mrs Njeru and their daughter Miss Njeru. Collectively, the Njerus(not the Njeru's)
See the African confusion?[/quote]
Where I come from, John Njeru Kimathi is Mr. Njeru (Baba Kimathi).
The wife is Mrs. Njeru (Mama Kimathi) and the daughter is Miss Njeru. The son is Mr. Kimathi.
Mr. Njeru, after he passes his medical exams, will however be Dr. Kimathi. So, on an invitation card, you will invite the Njerus as Dr. Kimathi and Mrs. Njeru.
Confused? :-)
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We come from the same village or even family then:-) :-)
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Maybe we do. :-)
If the wife to John Njeru Kimathi is a Prof. or Dr. and the husband isn't the invite will read, Mr. and Dr. Njeru or Mr. and Prof. Njeru.
Though most men avoid situations where the wife is more 'learned' than they are. I don't know why... :-)
Set out to correct the world's wrongs and you will most certainly wind up adding to them.