By Ngembeni Wa Namaso
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
“I have introduced you to everyone as Ernest. You answer to the name of Ernest. You look as if your name was Ernest. You are the most earnest looking person I ever saw in my life. It is perfectly absurd you’re saying that your name isn’t Ernest.” — Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Names are also words and words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”
According to Proverbs 18:21, Our words have the power to build people up and give them life or tear people down and bring them death. The words we speak can inspire and encourage others while, in the same sentence, deflate and discourage.
If we can be bothered by the names, we call ourselves, how about the names we call our “countries?” Africa emerged from Berlin 1884 with all sorts of names. I would argue that some of these names have followed, blessed and cursed some of those territories to this day. I would go further to propose that, African should today seriously consider changing those names.
Some names of the "pieces of cake" shared in Berlin, 1884
Gold Coast has become, Ghana. Upper Volta became Burkina Faso; Belgian Congo went to Zaire then DRC. Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. There are many examples. I propose that Cameroon, from Camarões, to Kamerun, then to Cameroun and Cameroon, should be changed. I will explain.
Many of our African names can have broad, contextual meanings. Belingo is broadly “Love” in the language of my Oroko nation. It may mean, loving, being loved, a feeling of love, an "air of love", or, lovingly, etc. However, it’s a word which inspires LOVE – and that’s sufficient.
The word Cameroon, morphed from the Portuguese for Shrimps – Camarões. It is believed that Crabs evolved from early shrimp, though they do not look like shrimps. Unlike the shrimp, the abdomen of Crabs are formed differently, and they have short antennae and short carapaces that are wide and flat.
They have prominent grasping claws as their front pair of limbs. Crabs are adapted for walking on the seafloor.
Crabs and Shrimps are strongly related and belong to the group – Crustacea (phylum Arthropoda) - a group of invertebrate animals consisting of some 45,000 species distributed worldwide.
So as an African who believes in the broad application of names, the fundamental spiritual behavior of the Shrimp, can be directly attributed to the Crab – they can also be attributed the same mentality – what is called the "Crab Mentality".
What is the Crab Mentality ? (available online and adapted)
In humans, this instinct stems from deep stirrings of insecurity and fear that cause people to feel like others shouldn't be allowed to have something, if they can't also have it. It springs up in families, workplaces, social circles, and romantic relationships; and also, in whole countries!
In a manifestation of the Crab mentality, there will be an attempt to tear someone down, to stop them from acting like they are "too big for their britches." Especially, this manifests when crabs are put in a bucket - hence "the crabs in a bucket mentality "
While people engaging in the "crabs in a bucket" dynamic may not physically pull the victims down, they can use all forms of psychological or system warfare, that's intended to undermine a successful person who is perceived as a threat.
Typically, this is done by using the tools of any “system” to bring down or destroy their target.
In certain situations, “bitter crabs” may try to alienate the person they perceive as a threat using gossip or rumors; even accusations, imprisonment or worse. The goal is to ultimately get the victim to become intimidated and defeated enough by peer pressure to step down, kicked out or be eliminated.
“Crabs in a bucket” mentality is toxic. In addition to harming the person who is being pulled down, imprisoned, sacked, or eliminated, it also causes the person doing the pulling to become immersed in envy and jealousy, and in mediocrity.
Most important of all, “crabs in a bucket” mentality puts so much focus on other people's accomplishments that we don't actually look at our own needs and issues. Bitter crabs would rather see another person destroyed than take a closer look at why they feel so dissatisfied.
So, to what extent has calling ourselves “Crabs - Shrimps” for 64 years; “Camarões” or its derivative - Cameroon, instilled in our most powerful spiritual beings the “crabs in a bucket” mentality? Remember, on the surface it may sound different, but at its spiritual root, it is still Shrimp - Crab, and the mentality.
Is it time we freed ourselves from this spiritual challenge and adopted an authentic, spiritually positive African name for our beloved land - Like BELINGO ?
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