Naming Ceremony Among The People Of Denkyira

HOW NAMING CEREMONY IS DONE IN THE LAND OF DENKYIRA (WHICH IS KNOW IN LAND AS BADINTO)
 In the society of Denkyira any child receives their "kra din" (soul name) according to the day of the week they are born into the world, some of these names are Kwabena, Kofi, Kwasi, Adjoa, Amma, Afia etc. Formal name "din pa" is also given to them on the eighth day.
On the eighth day both families meet at the residence of the parents of the child to perform a naming ceremony for the new born which is called 'badinto'. This ceremony begins and ends before sunrise.
Some other names can be given to the child depending on the occurrence during and after his/her birth. For example if a child's father die before he/she is born they can name him Anto also if he is the first born he can be named Piesie and if he is a last born he can also be named Kakyire.
On the day of the ceremony a mat is spread on the floor and the child is lifted three times, placed on the mat naked and a broom is put in her hand and she is covered with the calabash, after a second or more, the calabash is removed if she is a girl.
This process stands for the symbol of hard work preserving a house hold and working complementarily with her husband once married.
If he is a boy, cutlass is also placed in his hand; it also symbolizes hard work. Providing for and protecting his family, and working complementarily with his wife once married.
A final libation is poured to consecrate the ceremony and blessings for the child and his or her family is requested a long requests the child to be an obedient, truthful, and righteous member of the community. Next, the child is addressed by their name. Songs of praise can be sung to the child. After that the person whom the child is named after gives the child a gift after that gifts from the audience and some family members also follows. The ceremony officially ends by feasting and dancing.

By Asomaning Richmond
DCS 20678