Eritrean Humor

Unnamed person sent the following humor to IDEA, INC., and if the writer of the humor is still around and likes to be acknowledged by our Institute, he or she may contact us off-line. We have preserved the content of the humor as in its original, but we have added explanatory notes at the end so that subscribers (Tigrigna and non-Tigrigna readers alike) can grasp the essence of the leitmotif and root words.

The Metamorphosis of Eritrean Names, from Birth to their Death

When the egg is fertilized, the new baby's name is Zerezgi

During pregnancy Teklezgi

When the baby is born Weldezgi

When he is 18 Gilazgi

When he is in Sudan Oqubazgi

In Libya Tesfazgi

In Italy Habtezgi

When sending money Gebrezgi

When married and have kids Frezgi

When he dies Naizgi

Note: If you have not yet understood the messages conveyed in the humor, you may use the following clues:

The leitmotif is Ezgi or ‘zgi short form of Egziabiher (Tigrigna for God); the meanings of the prefixes from cradle to grave are: Zere is seed; Tekle is plant; Welde is child/genitor; Gila is literally ‘servant’ or ‘slave of’; Oquba is shelter/refuge; Tesfa is hope; Habte is wealth; Gebre is ‘doing’ but is more of extending support to others, very much like a philanthropist (Gebre-Senay); Fre is fruit/fecundity/reproduction; Nai is literally ‘belongs to’/possessive. 

Now, you could have the gist of the humor! Try to figure out the migration route of the characters.

IDEA, Inc. 3/28/2006