Different people have different reasons as to why they would  adopt a new name, different from their name given at birth, marriage, or legal adoption, that are recognized by the law. The same is true for the names of places, if the residents do not feel comfortable with it.

Many believe that given the vision of this country, such names are not suitable and that they should be changed. For them, names such as Bannyahe, Akajagali, Agakinjilo, among others, are derived from negative history or situations that have since changed or don’t correspond with where the country is heading.  

Nangumurimbo, which can loosely be translated as "I hate smartness” was the name of one of Nyamirambo villages, but the area residents did not like the name. 

In 2001, residents with the help of their local leaders resolved to change the name. It was soon given a new name, "Nkundumurimbo” (I love smartness) because they believed that the former gave a bad image to the place.

Thaddee Habimana, a leader of Nkundumurimbo village, says changing the name came about after improving the cleanliness of the area complete with modern roads.

"The residents in our village were not happy with the name and they petitioned local authorities and their request was acted up. We still have some names that need to be changed because they are irrelevant,” he says.

Habimana added that residents should work hard to change the negative history of the places and build a good image.

‘Bannyahe’ is another ‘impolite’ name, that is identified with a slum in Nyarutarama, in Gasabo District. It is believed that the area got its moniker ‘Bannyahe’ (loosely translated as "where do they ease themselves?”) because of its few latrines. Visitors there would wonder where the inhabitants go to answer nature’s call, hence the name Bannyahe.

Residents who live in this place say that the name shames them and feel embarrassed being identified with it. Recently, the name was denounced and the place is now divided into two villages which are Kangondo I and Kangondo II.

"Some people assumed that people who reside at the place are unhygienic and don’t have latrines. It was a shame for us. Also, children would be bullied that their families don’t have latrines. It is much better if the name is completely deleted in people’s minds,” said Vedaste Ntawukuriryayo, one of the residents.

In a recent event to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Liberation Day, Dr Jeanne Nyirahabimana, the Mayor of Kicukiro District, told the residents of Nyarugunga sector that the Rwanda of today should not have names like Akajagari which was given to area located near Kanombe International airport and Kanombe Military Barracks. Akajagari loosely means a disorganised and congested place.

"People have in the place named some places inappropriately and this needs to change because most of the names are not officially recorded, they are not their real names. Our vision is not suitable with such names,” she said. 

She added that when a place is given a name like ‘Akajagari’ it means that nothing good comes from there.

"The names have become so popular and many people are using them. Accepting those names means that we are supporting the reasons behind them,” she said.

Nyamirambo , a popular suburb in Kigali got the name many years ago after an epic battle between the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Rwanda during the reign of King Kigeli 1  Mukobanya. After that battle, many bodies were scattered around hence the rise of the name, Nyamirambo.

Gakinjiro is another popular name that was used many years ago. The name is linked to killings of cows that took place there but was not only unsafe for cows but humans too.

The name has however been changed to Agakiriro, which to the locals means a place where people can get wealth from (business center.)

Jean Damascene Rwasamirera, 77, a historian, however argued that the historic names of some places should remain unchanged, explaining that although the name ‘Nyamirambo’ sounds bad due to its history, it should remain unchanged.

Rwasamirera added that the name came into existence during the reign of Kigeli I Mukobanya, when the King Chwa of Bunyoro, attacked Rwanda and many soldiers lost their lives and their bodies were scattered around the area.

"Changing historic names of places would be like taking a step back. Yes, the names do not sound good but they are as a result of historical events and changing them would not be good. We should not forget our history because we would not be able to tell the stories of such names if they no longer existed,” he noted.

He however agrees that names that do not have historic attachments like Akajagari should be changed because such names were born as a result of disorder and lack of proper settlements.

There is, however, a legal process required for changing the name of a place, according to the legal advisor for the Ministry of Local Government, Jean Damascene Kayiranga. 

"There is an administrative process from the grassroots level. Changing names of places is not easy because these are names that appear on maps, personal identification papers and certificates, but first of all, the citizens have the control and if they wish for the names of their places to be changed then they can follow the legal procedures and the names can be changed,” he added.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw