Descriptive Analysis of Ndị nze Palace chiefs’ title names among the Nsukka Igbo, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines title names with a focus on Ndị nze Palace chiefs’ title holders. Title names are part of praise names, praise names are repositories and means through which socio-cultural and ideologies of the Igbo people are transmitted from one generation to another. The objectives of the study are to identify, and classify Igbo male title names, and examine how these names and naming practices shape the construction and perception of gender identities in Igboland. The study employs a qualitative research design strictly on a descriptive paradigm. Data are collected in various social gatherings presided over by chiefs in various communities in the Nsukka Igbo culture area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The title names collected are categorized under animal, body parts, plants, deities and nature-derived title names. The data collected are analyzed descriptively. The findings of the study reveal that Igbo male title names are derived from animals, body parts, plants, deities and nature. It portrays the title holders in the image of god as saviours, protectors, benefactors as well as dreaded beings. Every Igbo male title name evokes a frame of concept. The title names derived from plants portray the title holders as impartial and all-around providers; the title names derived from animals depict them as dreadful beings, while the nature symbols portray them as unquantifiable. The body parts' title names portray them as rescuers. The study contends that Igbo male title names and naming practices are important signifying constructs so that they pass an elocutionary force of validating and invalidating different expressions of masculinity. The categorization of these names makes it possible to examine how certain masculinities are deemed more masculine than others.