Why Do Buryats Not Call Children By Their Proper Names

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Secret nicknames: why Buryats don't call children by their real names

The inhabitants of Buryatia have a special, distinctive culture. Not all of their customs seem clear and obvious to us. For example, Buryats often give a child one name at birth, but in life they call him completely different. And to the question "why?" there is a simple answer.

What is the name of children in Buryatia

At birth, Buryat children usually receive two names. The first is euphonic. Often, Buryats choose a name with which some good omens are associated, or simply having a favorable meaning, for example:

• Altan (gold);
• Munheseseg (eternal flower);
• Namlan (dawn, sunrise).

The second name is “bad,” with a negative meaning. Here are some examples:

• Nohoy (dog);
• Mu-nohoy (bad dog);
• Hara-nohoy (black dog);
• Muhe (bad, dirty, lousy).

Often, instead of offensive names, animal names are chosen.

Until a certain period, a child is called exclusively by a second, "bad" name. The first one is jealously guarded and kept secret from everyone except the closest family members. Why such difficulties? It's all about the national beliefs of the Buryat people.

Many Buryats continue to follow age-old traditions

Why Buryat children are not called by their real names

Most of the Buryats do not adhere to world religions. Their national belief is shamanism, belief in spirits, both good and evil. And evil spirits, it is believed, can harm a person, especially a child.

To drive away the unkind essence, the parents call the child not the name they gave him at birth, but the second, "bad". It is believed that an evil spirit will disdain to attack a person who is called offensive or derogatory words. And if a child is called a dog's nickname, then the evil force will be completely confused and go home.

This practice is especially often used in homes where there have already been childhood illnesses or even deaths. If all the children of the parents are healthy and intact, then they may well abandon such a national practice.

By giving a child a middle name, parents protect their present until they grow up. Finally, we note that the practice of hiding a name is popular not only among the Buryat people - after all, it is almost universally believed that knowing the name of a person or entity gives special power over him.