Throne Names, Pen Names, Horse Names, and Field Names: A Look at the Significance of Name Change in the Ethiopian Political Sphere

Authors

Krista Mehari, SIT Study Abroad

Home Institution

Hope College

Publication Date

Spring 2007

Program Name

Ethiopia: Sacred Traditions and Visual Culture

Abstract

This study examines the motivations for name changes and the purposes the chosen names accomplish, specifically relating to the Ethiopian political sphere. Throne names and horse names were used solely by the emperors and the ruling class. Those name changes exalted the bearer by either stating his authority or connecting him to divine power. Pen names and field names were used by people not in power to hide their identity from people with the power to harm them. Although the purpose of those name changes was to disguise, the names that were chosen identified the bearer with another person or made a statement about the situation.

Disciplines

African History | History | Political Science

Recommended Citation

Mehari, Krista, "Throne Names, Pen Names, Horse Names, and Field Names: A Look at the Significance of Name Change in the Ethiopian Political Sphere" (2007). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 198.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/198