Contextual study of 1 samuel 1:1-20 in relation to naming practices of the Lugbara

Abstract

This study was carried out on the contextual analysis of 1 Samuel 1:1-20 in relation to the naming practices of the Lugbara. The study sought to discuss the text in relation to family life and naming practices, analyze the Lugbara family life and naming practices and establish the contextual relationship between the text and the Lugbara society in relation to family life and naming practices. A sample of ninety respondents was selected from the three districts by purposive sampling method. The study used interviews, observation and sampling as methods for collecting data. And the theoretical frame work of the study was African Bible Hermeneutics. Detailed contextual study of 1 Samuel 1:1-20 was done followed by the discussion of the text, in which major issues arising from it were paid attention to. The study examined the Bible and its context of naming where discussions were carried out on the Ancient Near Eastern naming practices.The study then proceeded to analyze Biblical naming practices. And numerous naming practices in the Bible were discussed. The study also found out that Lugbara people have patriarchal families which are characterized by the rule of men. It also found out that polygamy and barrenness affect women negatively.It was found out that it is the mother who names her child, and the name is influenced by her experience in marriage.In the analysis of the findings, the researcher found out that the family life and naming practices in 1 Samuel 1:1-20 share similarities with Lugbara family life and naming practices. And the study concludes that, Lugbara naming practices are therefore Biblical hence need not to be thrown away by the Christians who have been influenced by the colonialists, Western civilization and missionaries. The study recommended that other scholars should do contextual study of the Biblical text in relation to the naming practices of other African societies. And scholars were also called upon to do contextual study of Biblical texts in the light of, Lugbara sacrificial practices which is one of the practices that has been rendered evil among the Lugbara people.