In a particular culture, an important thing (on which survival of people belonging to that culture depends) got more than one names.
In Arab culture camel was an important source for travelling, milk and meat, so it got many names like Ibil, Jamal, etc. I heard that camel and sword got around 70 different names in Arab culture.
Do you know such examples in your culture? Things which got many names?
Re: Multiple names of important things
In Sindh, there are many names for river Sindh.
I remember Mehran, Sindh, Sindhu, Abaseen, etc
Re: Multiple names of important things
Could the names refer to different types or functions of the same thing?
For example Arabic words for Horse and camel were different to explain different functions. For example in English theres just the regular wild Camel, domestic camel, pack camel, war camel, dromedary (one hump camel), Double humped Steppes Camel etc.
Likewise with rivers perhaps Mehran refers to a broad river, Sindh may refer to river delta, Sindhu might be tributary and Abaseen equivalent of stream? I mean technically they are all part of river system but each is unique too.
Re: Multiple names of important things
You right that different names of a particular thing may refer to different characteristics of that thing and as perceived by people of a particular area. Abaseen (name of river Sindh) is not common in Sindh and is famous in upper stream areas.