Arab Names and Words that you May have Thought were Afrikan

By His Royal Majesty Axosu Agelogbagan Agbovi

This article original appears on Kilombo Restoration and Healing www.restorationhealing.com

Many Afrikans are having a renewed sense of self, and in doing so they are returning to various
aspects of their culture; some to the point of returning to full culture. Often, one of the first steps in
this process of ReAfrikanization is the choosing of a new name. However, in the process, many have
been misguided, either by "elders" or by their innocent zeal, into thinking that many of the non-
Afrikan names they choose or are bestowed are actual Máwùfɛnu (Afrikan). This brief write up is a
small guide to get you to think twice about randomly choosing names. Also, it is a call for those to
question those "elders" that bestow, as well as carry, those names as to if they really know or are
teaching real Máwùfɛnu (Afrikan) culture. This small list should spark within the reader more study
and engender many questions, especially to those who are supposed to be teachers to the next
generation. If you happen to have one of these names, or know or admire someone with one of the
following names, this is nothing personal. This is to teach our people real Afrikan culture in place of
the dirty glass of water they have been constantly getting.
Maulana. Controversial among Arabs whether it should be used for a human. Roughly means "our
Lord"and is found in their Quran 9:51 and 2:286

Mwalimu. From the Arabic muʿallim meaning teacher. Of course this comes from the KiSwahili
language which is heavily corrupted with Arabic.
Uhuru. Many Black Nationalists use this term as a sort of Black Power statement til this day. Many
have named their children and movements uhuru. Uhuru comes from the Arabic hurriyya, which, of
course, shared the same meaning - "freedom".
Nia. Due to the 1990s rise in popularity of Nia Long combined with Nia being a Kwanzaa principle,
we have many Nias in our communities today. Nia is KiSwahili for "purpose, intent". However, it is
derived from the Arabic niyyah which has the same meaning. In Islam, it references the purpose or
intent one has in fulfilling their Islamic duties.
Shakur. Many, many people have believed this name to be Afrikan. In the 70s, groups of freedom
fighters chose to use this last name. The spirit was perfect but they were not informed about Afrikan
culture. This name means "thankful"in Arabic.
Ujima. As a principle of Kwanza, Maulana Karenga defined this term as "collective work and
responsibility". This word is derived from the Arabic "ijima" which means "consensus". In Islam, it
mainly means a consensus of those who are faithful to their god, which usually is to say they are in
agreement that those thay do not follow Biblical religions are infidels and worthy of jihad.
Ujamaa. As a principle of Kwanzaa, Maulana Karenga defined ujamaa as "co-operative economics".
In KiSwahili it comes from jaama "extended family", which is itself ultimately derived from the
Arabic "jaam'a meaning "group of people". This word is tied into the Islamic concept
of ju'muah which is their Friday religious gathering service. Hence, a group of people.

Alaafia - Used by many practitioners of the Ìṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ (so called "Yoruba/Ifa religion") as a greeting
and falsely believed to mean "peace". This is not a greeting, does not mean peace, and nor
is it an Afrikan word. This word comes from the Andalusian Arabic phrase, al fiya - the health. It
is not even used by Arabs, the people the phrase comes from, as a greetingin any form. This came
from Islamic infiltration into the northern Oyo monarchy and found its way into Yoruba language
until this day.
Imani. Faith, belief. It is an Afrikanized version of the Arabic iman. This word is also tied into the
title imam - the Muslim spiritual guide..
Rashidi. Afrikanized version of the Arabic Rashid. Often, words are "Afrikanized" by adding a vowel
at the beginning or end of the word/name.

Wahala. This is often used by persons in the Ìṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ tradition to mean "extreme negativity". Most
think they are using a Yoruba word. This word is also Arabic and means "fright, terror".

Adura. Many in Ìṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ use this to mean prayer. This comes from the Arabic d'ua which means
prayer.
The Plus One
Marimba - indeed a Zulu/Bantu word for what Europeans call xylophones. It's origin comes from a
Zulu myth that a goddess named Marimba made an instrument by hanging gourds underneath some
wooden bars. In time, the instrument was perfected and spread not only all over Máwùfɛ (Afrika) but
also the world. The truth of the matter is that there are no Zulus are anyone else in
Máwùfɛ named Marimba. Besides, in true Afrikan culture, we do not directly name
ourselves after deities.