Culture and Identity: Recent Episodes
Eileen K. Omosa
Culture and Identity is a weekly podcast where I bring you interviews and information on the origin and meaning of people’s names, while we reflect on what the names mean to our heritage, self-esteem, and to on-going discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion
What is in a name, more specifically, what stories are hidden behind the names that families give their children?
In today’s episode we focus on the origin and meaning of people’s names, while we reflect on what the names mean to our heritage, self-esteem, and to on-going discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion.
People’s names play an important role in the formation of one’s identity. Families preserve and pass on their cultural heritage through names they give to their children, and the related naming ceremonies. Though the names vary with the different countries and ethnicities of the world, there are commonalities, in that most of the names have a meaning, they reveal and communicate something about the bearer in terms of one’s aspirations and values, their place of birth, and season or day of birth. Click here to read the full script of show notes
Thank you for coming this far with me. Get the episode show notes from www.wegrowideas.net. While there, sign-up to receive a free eBook titled, Unlock the Power in Your Name. If you would like to participate in the podcast, use the contact form on www.wegrowideas.net. Find me on LinkedIn and Social Media by searching for Eileen Omosa. Thank you.
Would you marry a man chosen by your parents to have access to your inheritance, or choose a man you love and forego the millions from your family?
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Eileen Omosa. I am a trainer and creative writer of romance and women’s fiction. In this second season of the Culture and Identity podcast, I bring you discussions about African women in Novels, including aspects of their upbringing in relation to the decisions and choices they make throughout their lives.
I reference books set in African to discuss how writers portray African women in novels? During the discussions, I welcome your views on a variety of issues, including, what happens once these women embark on a journey of becoming career women. How do they make choices whenever they are faced with opportunities or challenges which come with formal education? And, what factors have an influence on the decisions the women make?
Here are questions for you to reflect on during and after this podcast episode:
- Is the role of an African girl set long before she is born, or is she free to choose the life she desires?
- The second question is: - what role do African women play in shaping existing narratives on gender relations?
- And question number three, does education open more opportunities or conflicts for African women?
Stay to the end of this episode to learn about the journeys and roads traveled by some African girls and women. If you work in the development sector, or you are a scholar or writer longing to comprehend issues of human agency and decision-making—the issues I raise in this podcast provide a starting point to your understanding of the position of the African girl or woman in society, and the broader topic of gender and gender relations.
You can find the episode show notes, and more information on the podcast website, Cultureandidentity.org
In today’s episode, titled, who causes more trouble for women, which I am recording on the 22nd of June 2022, I will reference the question - who, between men and women, causes more trouble for women? I will share extracts from two novels, leave you to come up with a response to that question. The information is drawn from the novels titled, The Housegirl Becoming Angela, and Nyawira the Billionaire’s Daughter – will be part two of this episode.
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of the Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, go to the podcast website, culture and identity dot org and complete the Guest Intake form to book an appointment.
If you would like to support my time in researching, recording, and publishing episodes of this podcast, go to patreon.com/cultureandidentity and give your donation, for as little at two dollars per episode. Thank you.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, I am a published author of novels under the broad theme of change and adaptation. Six of my novels focus on the African girl who has gained an education and is striving to balance a formal career while she fulfils cultural expectations of her as a female member of society.
You can get copies of my books from your online book retailer. My books are sold on Amazon, Kobo and Google Books. Search for the books in your local bookstores as well, and through your local library. Did you know you can ask your librarian to order book titles you need to read?
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa. Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group, African Women in Novels, www.facebook.com/groups/281090469790625/, where we continue this discussion.
Until the next episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, go find the adventure hidden in books. This is Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye bye.
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Eileen Omosa. I am a trainer and creative writer of romance and women’s fiction. In this second season of the Culture and Identity podcast, I bring you discussions about African women in Novels, including aspects of their upbringing in relation to the decisions and choices they make throughout their lives.
I reference books set in African to discuss how writers portray African women in novels? During the discussions, I welcome your views on a variety of issues, including, what happens once these women embark on a journey of becoming career women. How do they make choices whenever they are faced with opportunities or challenges which come with formal education? And, what factors have an influence on the decisions the women make?
Here are questions for you to reflect on during and after this podcast episode:
-
Is the role of an African girl set long before she is born, or is she free to choose the life she desires?
-
The second question is: - what role do African women play in shaping existing narratives on gender relations?
-
And question number three, does education open more opportunities or conflicts for African women?
...“Sophia, Sophia, Sophiaaaa.”
“Eeeeh, Mama, I am coming. I’m on my way.” Sophia hurried her step, both hands stretched upwards, supporting each side of the load on her head, as she responded to the faraway call from her mother.
As she walked the last stretch of the path to her parent’s compound, she saw Stella, her mother standing on the front yard, a baby in one arm.
....Thank you for coming this far with me.
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of the Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, go to the podcast website, culture and identity dot org and complete the Guest Intake form to book an appointment.
If you would like to support my time in researching, recording, and publishing episodes of this podcast, go to Patreon PATRION, patreon.com/cultureandidentity and give your donation, for as little at two dollars per episode. Thank you.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, I am a published author of novels under the broad theme of change and adaptation. Six of my novels focus on the African girl who has gained an education and is striving to balance a formal career while she fulfils cultural expectations of her as a female member of society.
You can get copies of my books from your online book retailer. My books are sold on Amazon, Kobo and Google Books. Search for the books in your local bookstores as well, and through your local library. Did you know you can ask your librarian to order book titles you need to read?
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa. Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group, African Women in Novels, www.facebook.com/groups/281090469790625/, where we continue this discussion.
While at the website or on Facebook, leave a comment, or information on books and topics you would like us to discuss in future episodes of the culture and Identity podcast.
Until the next episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, go find the adventure hidden in books. This is Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye bye.
Cultural aspects of the African woman I write about in my novels
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Eileen Omosa. I am a trainer and creative writer of romance and women’s fiction. In this second season of the Culture and Identity podcast, I bring you discussions around African women in Novels, especially how their upbringing has an influence on decisions and choices they make in life.
I reference books set in African to discuss how African women are portrayed in novels? During our discussions, I would like to get your views on a variety of issues, including the following:
-
Is the role of an African girl set long before she is born, or is she free to choose the life she desires?
-
The second question is - what role do African women play in shaping existing narratives on gender relations?
-
And question number three, does education open more opportunities or conflicts for African women?
Stay on to the end of this episode to learn about the journeys and roads traveled by some girls and women. For those of you in the development sector, or scholars or writers wanting to comprehend issues of human agency and decision-making—the issues I raise in this podcast provide some starting point to your understanding of the position of the African girl or woman in society, and the broader topic of gender and gender relations.
You can find the episode show notes, and more information at the podcast website, Culture and identity dot org And, if you would like to support my time in researching, recording, and publishing episodes of this podcast, go to Patreon PATRION, patreon.com/cultureandidentity and give your donation, for as little at two dollars per episode. Thank you.
In today’s episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, which I am recording on the 2nd of June 2022, I will discuss a question I am asked often. The question relates to, which women I write about. I have been asked this question many times, especially when I attend public events and have book signings.
I will answer the question by drawing information from the main female characters in six of my novels, that is novels in the series, An African Woman’s Journey. The main characters are women who have gained at least high school education, though the majority have university level education.
Through the novels, I seek to establish what happens once these women embark on a journey of becoming career women. How do they make choices whenever they are faced with opportunities or challenges which come with formal education? And, which factors have an influence on the decisions the women make?
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of the Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, go to podcast website, culture and identity dot org and complete the Guest Intake form to book you for a discussion.
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa.
Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group www.facebook.com/groups/281090469790625/, where we continue this discussion.
Until the next episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, go find the adventure hidden in books. This is Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye, bye.
Culture and Identity Podcast by Kwamboka Eileen Omosa
Intro
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Kwamboka Eileen Omosa, a Sociologist who researches and writes books on change and adaption in Africa. I bring you interviews and information on the origin and meaning of people’s names while we reflect on what the names mean to our heritage, self-esteem, and to on-going discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion.
People’s names play an important role in the formation of one’s identity. Though the names vary with the different countries and ethnicities of the world, there are commonalities, in that most of the names have a meaning, they reveal and communicate something about the bearer in terms of one’s aspirations and values, their place of birth, and season or day of birth. Names tell us something about one’s position in the family tree and their roles, obligations and responsibilities within their family and community. Names reveal information about relationships between people, about the economy, politics, leadership, and historical events, among many other functions.
You can find the episode show notes, (your free short story) and lots more information, at the podcast website, Culture and identity dot org
And here’s the show.
Episode:
In today’s episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, which I am recording on the 24th of April 2022, I will discuss shared names among humans and animals, both domestic and wildlife. Is your name an animal’s, or, are you named after an animal, or is the animal named after you? What animal do you share a name with?
For example, what is your reaction whenever you are at a public place, you hear someone call your name and when you turn—as expected—you realize they were not calling you, but their pet?...
...However, in the midst of all the debates; to give human names to pets and other domestic animals, there is a century’s long practice where people are given animal names to imply something, tell their story in summary form.
What are your views and experiences on shared names, by humans and animals? Do you think our pets and domestic animals have names for us humans? What would the animals call you, and why that name?
Outro
Thank you for coming this far with me.
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of the Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, contact me via the podcast website, culture and identity dot org. Or leave a recorded voice message and I will get back to you. My role is to prompt you with relevant questions while you share details with a wider audience through my podcast.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, I am a published author of novels under the broad theme of change and adaptation. Six of my novels focus on the African girl who has gained an education and is striving to balance career with cultural expectations of them as a female member of society. My books are available in online book stores and through your local library. If you don’t find the books, ask your librarian and they will order copies for you.
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa.
Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group, Culture and Identity where we continue this discussion.
If this podcast episode awakens a need in you to want to document your family stories for future generations, I have a step-by-step guide to take you through the process. Let us Leave Legacies, Not Regrets.
Until the next episode of this podcast, this is Kwamboka Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye, bye.
In today’s episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, which I am recording on the 28th of March 2022, I will discuss the extent to which immigrants, (people who live in countries different from where they were born, can fit into their host country or new home without losing their cultural practices or their identity?
For example, as an immigrant parent, what you wish for is your child to thrive in their new environment. Would you, for example, name your children or grandchildren using the cultural practice you were brought up in by giving them cultural names, or will you give names in line with the country you now live in as one way to help them fit into their new society, aka, the culture they are growing up within?
The information I share in this podcast is mostly what I have observed, practiced or participated in throughout my life as a child, a daughter, a sibling, a scholar, a community member. And, as a parent, and a leader in various capacities. Whenever I have doubts, I have consulted with family members, friends, and Google.
To what extent does your culture—aka, your way of life—dictate your identity or who you are? I discuss this idea from the premise that if Identity is culturally reproduced, i.e. society reproduces itself through its people and over generations, can one leave their cultural practices behind and continue to be whom they are, or they were meant to be? This question mostly applies to immigrants into cities, urban centers and across national and international borders.
If culture is a way of life as lived by a group of people at a specific time in history, and your identity is who you are. Then, since individuals are brought up within groups, those groups shape you into whom you are, so that you are socialized into the identity of the group you belong to.
But, how possible is it for a person to belong to one culture when the reality of life is that an individual belongs to many and different groups at different stages of their life?
The Groups, thus, cultures include: our immediate family, extended family, ethnic or geographical community. The culture of the schools we attend, our age groups or peers, our place of work, professional associations, groups in one’s residential area, economic and political groups, religious groups, self-help groups, and many other groups you already belong in.
Successful integration into a group calls for one to master and apply the practices, beliefs, attitudes, traditions and rituals of that group. Integration will mean that one gets some recognition and powers within that group.
But how do you know which group is right for you?
Part of the answer will depends on one’s understanding on how culture shapes our individual life, for culture shapes us, and we in turn reshape culture...
In such a situation, one is challenged to choose between the cultural practices they were born into of giving children names with a meaning, Vs giving them any name to help them fit into the cultural practices of the dominant group? How and what would you choose?
There’s hope, in that if one works hard enough to convince the public that they are who they say they are. For example, even if one originates from let’s say, an African ethnic group where they name children after family members, and while in their new home or host country as immigrants, if they work hard in what matters to them—one day their cultural practices will be dominant and they will convince the other that their culture, aka, traits they exhibit are the best, to be followed by others.
What are your views and experiences on cultural practices and dominant groups? Do you live away from the place where you were born? To what extent have you managed to hold onto your cultural practices, or the identity you defined for yourself?
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Kwamboka Eileen Omosa, a Sociologist who researches and writes books on change and adaption in Africa. I bring you interviews and information on the origin and meaning of people’s names while we reflect on what the names mean to our heritage, self-esteem, and to on-going discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion.
People’s names play an important role in the formation of one’s identity. Though the names vary with the different countries and ethnicities of the world, there are commonalities, in that most of the names have a meaning, they reveal and communicate something about the bearer in terms of one’s aspirations and values, their place of birth, and season or day of birth. Names tell us something about one’s position in the family tree and their roles, obligations and responsibilities within their family and community. Names reveal information about relationships between people, and...
You can find the episode show notes, and lots more information, at the podcast website, Culture and identity dot org
And here’s the show.
In today’s episode of the Culture and Identity, which I am recording on March 6th 2022, I will discuss the important role of cultural names for people in Diaspora, that is individuals and families who live in a country different from that of their birth or the country where they trace their ancestry back to. How one can use their cultural or ethnic name to reconstruct, trace their lineage and build their family story.
The information I share in this episode of the podcast is mostly what I have observed, practiced or participated in throughout my life.
Why did I narrow today’s episode down to Diaspora? Because I have lived outside my country of birth for seventeen years and still counting. As a Kenyan of African descent, and as a parent of now adult children, I foresee a time when my grandchildren and great-grandchildren and Ebichembene, aka five generations down the line, living in different parts of the world. Before we even focus on next year, there are many people living in Diaspora, some wanting to visit countries of birth for their parents’ or grandparents, but they have not. When you take a moment to find out what is holding them back, some will say they don’t want to travel as a tourist, yet they lost connection with relatives who would welcome them back, home. For those of us who immigrated as adults, you would wonder why the said person cannot use their cultural name to find their relatives?
Thank you for coming this far with me.
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of the Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, contact me via the podcast website, culture and identity dot org.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, I am a published author of novels under the broad theme of change and adaptation. Six of my novels focus on the African girl who has gained an education and is striving to balance career with cultural expectations of them as a female member of society. My books are available in online book stores and through your local library. If you don’t find the books, ask your librarian and they will order copies for you.
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa.
Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group, Culture and Identity where we continue this discussion.
If this podcast episode awakens a need in you to want to document your family stories for future generations, I have a step-by-step guide to take you through the process. Let us Leave Legacies, Not Regrets.
Until the next episode of this podcast, this is Kwamboka Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye, bye.
Episode Three: Names as stories of events surrounding one’s birth
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Kwamboka Eileen Omosa, a Sociologist who researches and writes books on change and adaption in Africa. I bring you interviews and information on the origin and meaning of people’s names while we reflect on what the names mean to our heritage, self-esteem, and to on-going discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion.
People’s names play an important role in the formation of one’s identity. Though the names vary with the different countries and ethnicities of the world, there are commonalities, in that most of the names have a meaning, they reveal and communicate something about the bearer in terms of one’s aspirations and values, their place of birth, and season or day of birth. Names tell us something about one’s position in the family tree and their roles, obligations and responsibilities within their family and community. Names reveal information about relationships between people, about the economy, politics, leadership, and historical events, among many other functions.
You can find the episode show notes, (your free short story) and lots more information, at the podcast website, Culture and identity dot org
And here’s the show.
In today’s episode of the Culture and Identity, which I am recording on the 27th of February 2022, I will discuss Names as stories of events surrounding one’s birth.
The information I share in this episode of the podcast is mostly what I have observed, practiced or participated in throughout my life as a child, a daughter, a sibling, a scholar, a community member, as a parent, and a leader in various capacities. Whenever I have doubts, I have consulted with family members, friends, and Google.
Names play an important role within many communities. Most of the names communicate something about a person, including stories about one’s place of birth, season or day of birth, difficulties surrounding their birth, place or location of birth, day of birth, and many other events in the natural and political environments. Names also help people to share stories about one’s position in the family lineage. For example, are they the first born, last born, or are they twin? Names reveal information about relationships within families or the larger community.
Outro
Thank you for coming this far with me.
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of this Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, contact me via the podcast website, or leave a recorded voice message and I will get back to you. My role is to prompt you with relevant questions while you share details with a wider audience through my podcast.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, I am a published author of novels under the broad theme of change and adaptation. Six of my novels focus on the African girl who has gained an education and is striving to balance career with cultural expectations of them as a female member of society. My books are available in online book stores and through your local library. If you don’t find the books, ask your librarian and they will order copies for you.
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa.
Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group, Culture and Identity where we continue this discussion.
If this podcast episode awakens a need in you to want to document your family stories for future generations, I have a step-by-step guide to take you through the process. Let us Leave Legacies, Not Regrets.
Until the next episode of this podcast, this is Kwamboka Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye, bye.
African Family Stories Podcast by Kwamboka Eileen Omosa
Episode Two: Roles and Responsibilities Embedded in People's Names
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Kwamboka Eileen Omosa, a Sociologist who researches and writes books on change and adaption in Africa. I bring you interviews and information on the origin and meaning of people’s names while we reflect on what the names mean to our heritage, self-esteem, and to on-going discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion.
People’s names play an important role in the formation of one’s identity. Though the names vary with the different countries and ethnicities of the world, there are commonalities, in that most of the names have a meaning, they reveal and communicate something about the bearer in terms of one’s aspirations and values, their place of birth, and season or day of birth. Names tell us something about one’s position in the family tree and their roles, obligations and responsibilities within their family and community. Names reveal information about relationships between people, about the economy, politics, leadership, and historical events, among many other functions.
You can find the episode show notes, (your free short story) and lots more information, at the podcast website, Culture and identity dot org
And here’s the show.
In today’s episode, which I am recording on Sunday the 19th of February 2022, I will share some information on what it takes to name a child and the why. I found it necessary to record this episode before I interview guests.
The information I share here is mostly what I have observed, practiced or participated in as a daughter, and as a parent of children who bear names from two ethnic communities in Kenya, three if we count their religious names.
A typical African family, especially in many rural areas starts with parents and their children, But, unlike in some communities where the definition of a family ends with parents and children, there is a big difference for the African family, father, mother, and children is just the beginning of a long story on whom these individuals are, who they are related to and how, and stories on whom they could become or are expected to become in future.
Each of the family members is linked to another level of individuals, aka, extended family
- Each child has a relationship with
Thank you for coming this far with me.
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of this Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, contact me via the podcast website, or leave a recorded voice message and I will get back to you. My role is to prompt you with relevant questions while you share details with a wider audience through my podcast.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, I am a published author of novels under the broad theme of change and adaptation. Six of my novels focus on the African girl who has gained an education and is striving to balance career with cultural expectations of them as a female member of society. My books are available in online book stores and through your local library. If you don’t find the books, ask your librarian and they will order copies for you.
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa.
Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group, Culture and Identity where we continue this discussion.
If this podcast episode awakens a need in you to want to document your family stories for future generations, I have a step-by-step guide to take you through the process. Let us Leave Legacies, Not Regrets.
Until the next episode of this podcast, this is Kwamboka Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye, bye.
Welcome to the Culture and Identity Podcast by Kwamboka Eileen Omosa, a Sociologist who researches and writes books on change and adaption in Africa. I bring you interviews and information on the origin and meaning of people’s names while we reflect on what the names mean to our heritage, self-esteem, and to on-going discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion.
People’s names play an important role in the formation of one’s identity. Though the names vary with the different countries and ethnicities of the world, there are commonalities, in that most of the names have a meaning, they reveal and communicate something about the bearer in terms of one’s aspirations and values, their place of birth, and season or day of birth. Names tell us something about one’s position in the family tree and their roles, obligations and responsibilities within their family and community. Names reveal information about relationships between people, about the economy, politics, leadership, and historical events, among many other functions.
You can find the episode show notes, (your free short story) and lots more information, at the podcast website, Culture and identity dot org
And here’s the show.
Welcome to episode number one of the culture, names and identity podcast, which I am recording on the 11th of February 2022. In today’s episode, I will answer the question, What is in a name? while I share details of my Kenyan name, its meaning, origin, the family relationships entailed therein, and the emotions that my name evokes in me, in my immediate family members, and the extended family.
thus, what is in a name, more specifically, what stories are hidden behind the names that families give their children?
The origin and meaning of my name goes way back, to the arrival of the British colonizers in Kenya, that was between 1895 and 1963, when Kenya gained independent from the British.
As the story of colonization goes in many parts of the world, the flag always followed the cross, and that cross had conditions—you needed to be baptised, become a member of a church before you could be allowed to access the Whiteman’s education as a student.
My mother had a thirsty for this education, so she joined the catholic religion, the only way she could be allowed to be a student at a Catholic mission school. This was a major...
Outro
Thank you for coming this far with me.
Would you like to be a guest in a future episode of this Culture and Identity podcast? If yes, contact me via the podcast website, or leave a recorded voice message and I will get back to you. My role is to prompt you with relevant questions while you share details with a wider audience through my podcast.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode of the Culture and Identity podcast, I am a published author of novels under the broad theme of change and adaptation. Six of my novels focus on the African girl who has gained an education and is striving to balance career with cultural expectations of them as a female member of society. My books are available in online book stores and through your local library. If you don’t find the books, ask your librarian and they will order copies for you.
You can reach me via social media by searching for Eileen Omosa.
Join my mailing list to receive monthly updates from me. Come to my Facebook Page or Group, Culture and Identity where we continue this discussion.
If this podcast episode awakens a need in you to want to document your family stories for future generations, I have a step-by-step guide to take you through the process. Let us Leave Legacies, Not Regrets.
Until the next episode of this podcast, this is Kwamboka Eileen Omosa signing off. Bye, bye.