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ArchivesRe: The meaning of ''Makhaya"
in reply to a message by Jimmy James Makhaya Thembakako
The word "kaya", with various spelling possibilities, means a house. In English we form the plural by adding -s to the end of a noun, but in Xhosa and many other African languages the plural is formed by adding a prefix, like Ma- of Ama-, to the beginning of the noun.
I asked my friend, who used to lecture in Nguni languages. This is his reply:
" ... naming techniques in African cultures could vary. The direct translation would be ‘the plural of – home’
"I suppose in this instance it could mean ‘the one who represents’ the entire family, clan, homestead, etc. If born out of polygamous family structure, or from a bigger family – could mean that all eyes were on him to represent the whole family.
"Safe to say these are just my views/opinions with no substance in this particular case, however, I cannot rule out any possibility in this regard."
I hope that helps you. Whatever "Makhaya" means, you have a fine namesake in Makhaya Ntini the cricketer.
I asked my friend, who used to lecture in Nguni languages. This is his reply:
" ... naming techniques in African cultures could vary. The direct translation would be ‘the plural of – home’
"I suppose in this instance it could mean ‘the one who represents’ the entire family, clan, homestead, etc. If born out of polygamous family structure, or from a bigger family – could mean that all eyes were on him to represent the whole family.
"Safe to say these are just my views/opinions with no substance in this particular case, however, I cannot rule out any possibility in this regard."
I hope that helps you. Whatever "Makhaya" means, you have a fine namesake in Makhaya Ntini the cricketer.
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Replies
Makhaya means 'rural areas',it is from the word ,'ikhaya' which means home, NOT a' house' meaning of house is ,'indlu'. Pronounced , like this,'makcayer'
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Makhaye and Makhaya inclunding similar spelling surname mean the sAme people where the second common ancestor is Deke and/or Shombela.
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I suppose i should agree with Anneza's opinion on the meaning of"Makhaya" for the reason that there is a denotative consencus in meaning that'khaya' is associated with home,and its plural that is known.Also it has a connotative meaning.What,may however be overlooked are variations of this surname like Makaye makhaye makaya mackaye and so on and so forth.Is there a necessity that these variants surname mean the same thing but in various forms.My cure would be to establish whether these variants surnames originally meant the same.
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They don't. Mackaye at the very least appears a variant of Scots Gaelic Mackay.
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http://www.behindthename.com/bb/fact/34464
(Quoting your post at you :-)
(Quoting your post at you :-)
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Your memory is better than mine, Tanmoy! Well done! And, nice to hear from you ...
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