KUSINDA [EUPHEMISM]
Kusinda is defined as a replacement, substitution of words in speech or the use of code names transmitted among Basongora communities. Kusinda is the use of Euphemism. Kusinda is used in daily utterations and it deals with alteration of words in the daily lives of Basongora people. Kusinda falls under the domain of Social Practices, and Oral Traditions and Expressions.
Kusinda is used in daily utterations and it deals with alteration of words in the daily lives of Basongora people. Euphemism was and is largely still used among Basongora communities and is closely connected with real life. As a language it is the vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage.
Basongora use euphemisms in place of the names of people, names of clans, and even objects - provided an object had the same utteration with the name of one of the family members [especially a grandparent].
Married women use euphemism so much since it is one of the most important ways of giving respect to their in-laws, especially when they are newly married women. More to that, the correct use of euphemism is an indicator of level of social integration for a particular woman into the family of her in-laws.
As women respect their in-laws, their husbands reciprocate by showing respect to their wives’ relatives. Married women are restricted from mentioning the family name of the husband, and so have to use a Euphemism in place of the husband’s family name.
Kusinda is as old as the Basongora community, and has always existed in the community. Even when the Basongora were scattered or displaced and away from their motherland they used Euphemisms. Basongora practice Kusinda whether or not the person referred to in a special way is around.
Kusinda is done by young children in respect of their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other relatives. In Basongora community, the children learn from their mothers by hearing their mothers name and call persons and objects.
Kusinda affirms the dignity of married women in their new families. It establishes a good foundation for discipline among the young children of every generation, especially since the young ones learn from their parents and elders.
Some Euphemisms for Clans:
Clan - Euphemism - Totem
1 Abacwezi Entaronda
2 Ababito Abachakye Mayenje
3 Abagombe Abairagura Akantu
4 Abakurungo Abakyija Entanani
5 Abamoli Abaamura Mayenje
6 Abasonga Abazigu Kibaizi
7 Abeeri Abahesi Kibaizi
8 Abakoransi Abagaju Entanani
9 Abalebekyi Abahyoka Ekyisasi
10 Ababopi ditto ditto
11 Abasengya Enganguzi Kahogo
12 Abanyampaka Abanyakanya Kagondo
13 Abairuntu Abahango Endeeba 14 Abasingo Abatagambwa Omurara/Mbazi
15 Abarungu Abaziima 16 Abahinda Abayangwa Kabubi
17 Abasiita Abagaaju
18 Abaitira Ensangwa
19 Abanyara Abasumbi Entanani
20 Abaisikatwa Abahamba Kyibaizi
21 Abasana Abateesi Omurara
22 Abahunga Abakara Kyibaizi
23 Abaana
Euphimisms for Family Names:
Name Euphemism
1 Kyomya Kyihotokyi
2 Rubibi Rutiti
3 Nyamate Masununu
4 Kiboneka Kyihotokyi
5 Katendwa Katesi
6 Kokuzanisa Kokurrukana
7 Ruyenje Rusukyirane
8 Mbogo Nzenga
9 Kahigwa Kazete
10 Nyamutale Nyamucume
11 Mugyenyi Muzimanikyi
12 Muhunzi Mirukano
13 Wamara Zimani
14 Ndahura Nzihano
15 Kagoro Kakyimbiri
16 Mairanga Mainani
17 Nyawanga Nyawanani
18 Rugaju Runami
19 Kisojo Kyigasi
20 Nyangoma Nyazihi
Euphemisms for things and objects
1 Engoma [Drum] Enzihi
2 Enyama [meat] Encwarugo / Encwakyihanga
3 Iju [Ash] Eryomukyoto
4 Ente [Cow] Engaaju
5 Embogo [Buffalo] Enzenga
6 Obugyenyi [Party] Obuzimanikyi
7 Ebyokulya [Food] Ebitagata
8 Ibaale [Stone] Ihyoro / Ilonji
9 Ebiraso [Arrows & bow] Ebiti
10 Enjojo [Elephant] Endeeba
11 Enjura [Rain] Entonya
12 Embuzi [Goat] Emamami
13 Entama [Sheep] Enculezi
14 Ekyoya [discomfort from Heat] Ekyisugyezi
15 Okuhindura [to change something] Kugaranjura
16 Kulisa [to herd cattle] Kukyindaniza
17 Omunda [inside] Omumbaya
18 Okwiita [to kill] Okuchindana
The associated intangible elements are nicknames that are given to young babies. Parents give as many nicknames as possible, or what they can, basing on the love she has for that baby. Parents can also give nicknames basing on the health, size, the situation under which the child was born: Rukaya, Gayi, Kyamakaka, Bukwina...
Brothers-in-law also give nicknames to newly married women in their family in order to honor their wives or women. Likewise the women will not call their male in-laws by their real names but will call them by substitute names. The short list below gives examples of women’s names and their substitutes:
REAL NAME CODE NAME
Rugorwaire Nganzi
Pegyi Bikwanzi
Kekyiyonza
Rangyi Nzomba
Miito Ndeberwamu
Kanywaigana Nsinza
Kekyisanyura Mbaga
Nende
As an additional example, “God the creator” is normally referred to as “Ruhanga”. However, when the name of the father-in-law is Byaruhanga, women in the family will refer to God as “Mukama” [Lord] in order to void using a similar name for God as for their father-in-law.
The modes of transmission involve young ones learning from older ones, so that the experienced ones teach their juniors. The married women learn from their mothers-in-law, co-wives, and sisters-in-law, as they exhibit good conduct and behaviour in families where they are married.
Euphemisms are also transmitted through such usual communication as during festivals and ceremonies. Elders use different euphemisms to express, describe and instil discipline among the community members both young and old.