My Kamba name is…

My English name is David, but everyone here needs to have a Kamba name. We’re amongst the Kamba tribe here in one of the ninety partner primary, junior and secondary schools in Machakos and Kitui counties with which the charity Kenya Connect partner.

Kenya is a polite and formal society. As we are welcomed to a school, we are urged to take a seat in the shade and treated like honoured guests. There are Scout demonstrations, energetic poetry readings, songs and dances, with the whole school taking part. There must be 250 children sitting out on the grass and dusty red earth. We introduce ourselves, saying our names, where we come from and which organisations we are from. Those who already have a Kamba name introduce themselves with that as well as their existing first name. For those without a Kamba name, the children shout out suggestions, the teacher selects the top three, and there’s a vote, with the whole school cheering for their favourite. Once the favourite name is clear, the naming ceremony is nearly over for that person as they now have a Kamba name. All that remains is for every child and teacher with the same name to come up and greet the newly named person. Some of our group have twenty children to shake hands with.

As I sit waiting for it to be my turn, I’m slightly distracted by the birds surrounding us in the trees. They are Superb Starlings.

It’s my turn. I stand at the front, say. “Jambo!”, the Swahili word for hello, and I take my hat off. “Hello, my name’s David and I’m from England”, I say. There’s what seems like uproarious laughter from the assembled children and there doesn’t seem to be a need for a vote. It’s clear, and the children have spoken. My Kamba name is Muutu. There’s only one Muutu in the school, and Muutu is his last name not his first name. Mr Roderick Muutu is a teacher and he comes up to shake my hand.

What does Muutu mean? It apparently means “An individual, or a person”. It makes no sense to me until someone explains, “They named you after their favourite teacher”.

Ah, that’s okay, then.

Call me Muutu.