Dunyo

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See also: dunyo

Ewe[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Ewe "Du" town + "nyo" good, forming Dunyo meaning "a good town." Often used as a paraphrase and noun prefix in more elaborate appellations such as:

  • Dunyo mesea gbãgba o ("A good town is prone to disintegrating; good things don't last.")
  • Dumenyo mesɔa ƒe o ("Any good town elsewhere will still not match one’s hometown.")

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA: /dùɲó/, [dùɲó]

Proper noun[edit]

Dunyo

  1. A personal name among the Ewe-speaking communities of southern Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
  2. A class of personal nickname appellations that address social, personal, or philosophical themes.

Usage notes[edit]

  • Dunyo is often given to children in the hope that they will lead lives as enriching and stable as a 'good town'. It reflects a communal desire for prosperity and endurance.
  • In Ewe culture, personal names are deeply symbolic, often reflecting societal values, philosophical insights, or hopes for the individual. Dunyo, embodying the notion of a good community, highlights the importance of social harmony and well-being in Ewe society.

See also[edit]