#afeni

Meaning of Afẹ́ni(Yoruba name)

One who loves another.

Morphology

a-fẹ́-ẹni

Gloss

a - someone fẹ́ - love, want ẹni - person, individual

Tupac Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur, was born Alice Faye Williams on January 10, 1947, in Lumberton, North Carolina. She changed her name to Afeni Shakur when she joined the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. The name "Afeni" is indeed of Yoruba origin, and it means "lover of the people" or "dear one" in the Yoruba language spoken in Nigeria and some other parts of West Africa.

Afeni Shakur was inspired to adopt the name "Afeni" during her involvement with the Black Panther Party, a revolutionary Black nationalist and socialist organization that sought to address issues of racial injustice and inequality in the United States. The Black Panther Party had connections to various movements and ideologies across the African diaspora, including the Black Power movement and African liberation struggles.

By taking on the name "Afeni," Tupac's mother was expressing her solidarity with the struggles of oppressed people and her commitment to fighting for social justice and equality. The name change symbolized her dedication to serving her community and advocating for positive change, reflecting the values and principles that were central to her activism and personal beliefs.

I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell

Huggin on my mama from a jail cell

Afeni - Rapsody fr. PJ Morton