Analyses of mwoch: Acholi nicknames

Authors

  • JP Odoch Pido
  • Donna K Pido

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70759/3vz9ys92

Keywords:

Acholi, mwoch (nickname), panegyric, meanings, cultural metaphor, identity and indigenous knowledge

Abstract

Rationale of Study – Mwoch is an Acholi term for various poetic pronouncements. Depending on the frequency of use and popular reaction, such pronouncements can define individual identity or become community nicknames that work like national anthems. In general, mwoch are folkloric, metaphoric or panegyric statements of opinion on life; in this article, we translate mwoch as nicknames whose main cultural landscape is the Acholi of Northern Uganda.

Methodology – Discourse analysis, participant observation, and interviews dating back to the 1940s were among the parameters we used. Yet, we fear that overindulgence in mainstream research methods will ‘get us stuck in a tar baby’ (Disney Walt, 1946).

Findings – Though ‘getting stuck in a tar baby’ is culturally North American, it is similar to the Acholi folktale entitled ododo pa apwoyo, oculli ki won poto ngor (tale of the hare, wildcat and the owner of a field of cowpeas). The Hare and Wildcat used to steal the cowpeas; the owner noted goings-on but could not catch the culprits. The theft continued until the owner conceived and crafted a beautiful girl (tar baby) from the latex of a rubber tree and placed it in his field of cowpeas. When the two came to steal the crop, they saw the tar baby, engaged with it and got stuck.

Implications – Although Acholi and American folktales strike similar notes, Acholi folktales are often different since they are largely verbal rather than visual and metaphoric rather than overt. Unless analysed and discussed, meanings in such expressions may remain hidden and rather useless to stakeholders, including scholars.

Originality – This is an original article whose main goal is to unravel the meanings, if not the knowledge, of a few selected Acholi nicknames. 

Downloads

Published

12-11-2024

Issue

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

Analyses of mwoch: Acholi nicknames. (2024). Regional Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 9(2), 118-132. https://doi.org/10.70759/3vz9ys92

Similar Articles

1-10 of 57

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.