Purposeful naming: the case of beer halls named during both the colonial Rhodesia era and present day Zimbabwe

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Periodical article

Title:	Purposeful naming: the case of beer halls named during both the colonial Rhodesia era and present day Zimbabwe
Authors:	Nyota, Shumirai Mapara, Jacob Mutasa, Davie E.
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080)
Volume:	24
Issue:	1
Pages:	141-163
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Zimbabwe Southern Africa
Subjects:	bars names Shona language sociology Bars (Drinking establishments)
Abstract:	The Shona people of Zimbabwe have always responded to the challenges of the environment through various means, such as proverbs and naming practices. With the introduction of commercialized beer drinking under colonialism, the Shona naming tradition was extended to the naming of beer halls and beer outlets by both patrons and proprietors. Based on research among proprietors and patrons of 16 beer halls in three provinces, the authors observe that beer hall names given and accepted by patrons are often statements of general truths of day-to-day goings-on, just like Shona proverbs. There are names that entice imbibers, names that warn drinkers about the evils of excessive beer drinking, and names that spell out the adverse effects of beer drinking. The names comment on the impact and influence of commercialized beer on society and on the moral decadence that accompanies commercialized beer drinking in beer halls and bars. Bibliogr., note, sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]