# Our names, Our Identity | Nyakara Morara | TEDxYouth@BrookhouseSchool

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLNZY36BrlI
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/BLNZY36BrlI
Generated: 2026-01-30T17:36:03.172+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Nyakara Morara advocates for embracing and using one's indigenous African name—such as her own Kipsigi name, Akosia, or her Ashanti name, Premper—as a crucial act of cultural reclamation and resistance against the lasting societal dogma inherited from colonialism that promotes Western names as superior.

**Key Points:**
- Morara introduces the concept that many people, especially the young, are afraid to use their ethnic names due to colonial legacies that instilled a sense of inferiority regarding non-Western names.
- She cites the example of the Indian poet Sujata Bhatt, who emphasized that indigenous names carry a different history and should not be diminished by Western standards.
- Morara shares her dual heritage from the Kipsigi community in Kenya and the Ashanti community in Ghana, noting that her traditional Kipsigi name is Akosia and her Ashanti name is Premper.
- She mentions that the father of modern African literature, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, changed his name from James to Ngũgĩ in 1977 to prove that using an ethnic name does not diminish success or acceptance.
- Morara argues that the colonial-era dogma instilled in African minds was that only Western things (names, culture, life) were good and righteous.
- She urges the audience to use their ethnic names unapologetically to honor their heritage, celebrate their culture, and inspire future generations to be their true, authentic selves.
- The speaker concludes that the only thing stopping people from embracing their heritage is their own reluctance, emphasizing that names should be used for cultural celebration and recognition, not subjugation.

![Screenshot at 00:20: Nyakara Morara standing center stage at TEDxYouth@BrookhouseSchool, preparing to deliver her talk titled 'Our Names, Our Identity,' which centers on reclaiming African names.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BLNZY36BrlI/00-00-20.jpg)

**Context:** This TEDxYouth talk by Nyakara Morara, titled 'Our Names, Our Identity,' addresses the lingering impact of colonialism on African identity, specifically focusing on the societal pressure and internalized shame many face when choosing between their indigenous ethnic names and Westernized names. Morara draws parallels to historical figures like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o who reclaimed their African names, arguing that these names are vital components of cultural heritage and self-worth.

## Detailed Analysis

Nyakara Morara delivers a passionate speech arguing that people should proudly use their indigenous African names as an act of cultural reclamation against the ingrained colonial mindset that prioritizes Western names. She describes encountering a puzzled face when introducing herself and realizing that her ethnic name, Nyakara Morara, is often met with difficulty compared to an easier, Western name. Morara notes that colonial powers instilled the dogma that only Western things were good, leading many, even today, to fear using their heritage names because they might be perceived as 'different,' 'uncool,' or 'unprofessional.' She references the example of the poet Sujata Bhatt, whose work asserts that indigenous histories carried by names should not be erased. She also highlights Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, who changed his name from James to Ngũgĩ in 1977 to prove that African names do not hinder success or lead to persecution. Morara shares her dual heritage from the Kipsigi (Kenya) and Ashanti (Ghana) communities, revealing her Kipsigi name is Akosia and her Ashanti name is Premper. She concludes by urging the audience to use their ethnic names unapologetically to honor their ancestry, celebrate their culture, and inspire future generations to embrace their authentic selves, stating that the only barrier to this practice is the individual's own reluctance.

### Introduction and Problem Statement

- Meeting a puzzled face when introducing herself
- Discussing the societal fear among youth to use ethnic names due to colonial indoctrination
- Citing the historical precedent of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o changing his name to prove success is not dependent on Western names

### Cultural Heritage and Examples

- Speaker's dual heritage from Kipsigi (Kenya) and Ashanti (Ghana) communities
- Kipsigi name: Akosia; Ashanti name: Premper
- Referencing poet Sujata Bhatt's view on indigenous names carrying distinct histories

### The Call to Action

- Urging the audience to use their traditional names unashamedly
- Ethnic names should be used for cultural celebration and recognition, not subjugation
- The only obstacle to embracing heritage is personal reluctance

![Screenshot at 00:15: Title slide for TEDxYouth@BrookhouseSchool event.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BLNZY36BrlI/00-00-15.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:21: Nyakara Morara beginning her address on stage, holding a microphone.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BLNZY36BrlI/00-00-21.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:50: Close-up of Nyakara Morara speaking passionately about the questions people ask when she introduces herself.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BLNZY36BrlI/00-00-50.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:36: Morara discussing how European nations instilled the idea that only Western things were good and righteous in the minds of their ancestors.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BLNZY36BrlI/00-01-36.jpg)
![Screenshot at 04:45: Morara detailing how figures like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o achieved success while using their African names.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BLNZY36BrlI/00-04-45.jpg)