Dog Names: A Conflict Resolution Strategy

Abstract

Abstract Since time immemorial dogs have played significant roles in the life of humanity. The Shona speaking-people of Zimbabwe have kept dogs for hunting and provision of security to people and domesticated animals among others. They predominantly give their dogs Shona and English names that convey diverse meanings. It is against this background that this ethnographic paper investigates in greater detail thirty-one dog names popularly used in Wedza district of Mashonaland East province of Zimbabwe. It emerges that dog names are used to implicitly or explicitly address divergent marriage and societal challenges.