Almost every country in the world is named after either a feature of the country, an influential person or tribe, or a directional description of the land.
The majority of African countries’ names are reminders of early colonialism.
African countries also follow suit with their names except with more intricate and interesting storylines.
Here are interesting ways African countries got their names:
Burkina Faso
In 1984, the name ‘Burkina Faso’, meaning “land of incorruptible people” was adopted by the president at that time, Thomas Sankara.
Cameroon
Cameroon was first colonized by Germany, later being partitioned by France and Britain, but it was a Portuguese man who gave the country its name in the 15th century.
The Portuguese explorer was traveling across the Wouri river (one of the largest rivers in Cameroon) when he renamed it Rio dos Camarões (shrimp river) because of the abundance of shrimp he saw in the river.
The name stuck throughout the years, evolving into the Cameroon we know of today.
Ethiopia
Prior to the name Ethiopia, the country was named Abyssinia. Ethiopia derived its name from the Greek form, aithiopia which means “burnt-face” as a noun and “red-brown” as an adjective.
Gabon
In the 15th century, Portuguese traders arrived in Gabon and named it Gaboa (coat) because the shape of the Como River Estuary resembled a coat with sleeves and a hood.
Kenya
The British were exploring and came across a snow-capped mountain in East Africa that the Kikuyu people called Kirinyaga (where God dwells).
Mount Kenya
The Brits had trouble pronouncing Kirinyaga and began calling the mountain Mt. Kenya instead.
Mt. Kenya ended up being the inspiration for the naming of the country Kenya.
Liberia
Liberia is the oldest republic on the continent and became an independent country in 1847. The country was established by freed African-American slaves and was named for liberty.
Madagascar
The second-largest island country gets its name because of a clerical error by Marco Polo. That’s right, the 13th-century Italian explorer never even visited the land but it is said that he had mistaken it for Mogadishu and wrote it into his memoirs.
The Italians transliteration of Mogadishu eventually evolved into the name Madagascar.
Mali
The hippopotamus is a symbol of strength in Malian culture. The country got its name from the Bambara word for hippopotamus which also means “the place where the King lives.”
Legend has it that Sundiata Keita, founder of the Malian empire transformed into a hippopotamus after his death and continued habitation in the Sankarani River.
Mozambique
Mozambique was named after an Arab Sheikh, Mussa Bin Bique, who ruled the land when the Portuguese arrived.
Niger
Named after the Niger River, this country is a former French colony to the north of Nigeria.
Nigeria
Also named after the Niger River, this former British colony has the Niger river flowing through it.
Sierra Leone
In 1462, a Portuguese explorer was sailing down the coast of West Africa when the name for Sierra Leone was established.
The explorer, Pedro da Cintra came up with “Sierra Lyon”, or Lion Mountains. It is said because either the mountains resembled the teeth of lions or the roar of thunderstorms lead him to the land.
The British officially named the country Sierra Leone in 1787.
Zambia
Zambia was once known as Northern Rhodesia and was renamed in 1964 after receiving independence.
The new name was inspired by the Zambezi river, which is said to mean “river of God.”
Latest Stories
-
19-year-old shop attendant convicted for stealing an iPhone
4 mins -
Tamale nurse who poured boiling water on husband jailed 6 years
25 mins -
Teacher unions call for total overhaul of SSNIT’s management to avert possible collapse of the scheme
32 mins -
Ejisu: Government officials engaging in vote-buying in Bonwire – Kwabena Aduomi’s aide alleges
35 mins -
Europe Presbytery of PCG donates clinic to Nsaba PRESEC
1 hour -
Korle Bu clarifies reports on cancellation of surgeries
1 hour -
Let’s use film for public education – Ken Fiati
1 hour -
Private schools threaten to boycott BECE, WASSCE over exorbitant charges by WAEC
2 hours -
Enyonam Manye appointed ambassador for CASTNET International Chamber of Commerce; Named among top agric influencers in Africa
2 hours -
The Myth of The Sword of Damocles and Speaker Alban Bagbin’s Pandora Box
2 hours -
2024 polls: Let’s continue to unite in peace – Bawumia to politicians
2 hours -
Patronise local movies to push industry growth – Fella Makafui to public
2 hours -
King Charles visits cancer centre as public engagements resume
2 hours -
GPL: Bashir Hayford delays game against Bechem after sitting in the middle of the pitch
2 hours -
Courage Alormasor: FDA deserves praise for clamp down on unregistered diapers
2 hours