E:
What prompted people to start referring to Voldemort
as You-Know-Who and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?
J: It happens many times in history. Well, you’ll know this because you’re that kind of people, but for those who don’t, having a taboo on a name is quite common in certain civilizations.
In Africa, there are tribes where the name is never used. Your name is a sacred part of yourself and you are referred to as the son of so-and-so, the brother of so-and-so, and you’re given these pseudonyms because your name is something that can be used magically against you if it’s known. It’s a part of your soul.
That’s a powerful taboo in many cultures and across many folklores.
On a more prosaic note, in the 1950s in London,
there [was] a pair of gangsters called the Kray Twins.
The story goes that people didn’t speak the name Kray.
You just didn’t mention it.
You didn’t talk about them because retribution was so brutal and bloody.
I think this is an impressive demonstration of strength,
that you can convince someone not to use your name.
Impressive in the sense that demonstrates how deep the level of fear is that you can inspire.
It’s not something to be admired.
INTERVIEW W. JO ROWLING // MUGGLENET.COM
