Exploring Reasons Against Naming Children after Deceased Members of the Lineage in Pentecostal Churches of Lusaka

Abstract

The act of naming both living and non-living things is as old as humankind. Biblically, it started in the time of Adam.. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to explore the logic behind naming Children after deceased members of the lineage in Zambian Cultures from a Pentecostal perspective. The study used a case study design that involved the use of qualitative methods. The target population for the study was 20 selected Pentecostal Churches. The eligible respondents included 20 pastors, 10 parents, 10 Church Leaders (Deacons & Elders) as well as 8 focus group participants (comprising parents, deacons & elders) bringing the total number to 48 respondents; all of them ranging from 35 years and above. The participants were selected using purposive and snowballing methods and the data were collected using in-depth interviews and a Focus Group Discussion guide. The data collected were analyzed thematically. The study revealed that in the Zambian cultures naming Children after deceased members of the lineage is fundamentally meant to keep the tradition. The findings show that the Pentecostals' perspective on naming children after deceased family members is the same as the traditionalist perspective. Yet, Pentecostals oppose the naming of their children after the deceased members of the lineage. I, therefore, recommend that the Pentecostal Churches should find a mid-way of incorporating Zambian naming culture into its theology or doctrines. In this manner, the cultural heritage of the Zambian Pentecostals would be upheld and valued.