Introduction
One of the most important things in the life of anything that exist under the sun is a name. It is said that; "Anything that does not exist, doesn’t have a name either." This is to mean that; anything that exists has or must have a name.
It is believed mostly by the Christians that, the power of naming was given to man by the creator. According to them, after the creation, the Almighty God brought all that He had created to man to give them names. Adam gave each of them names as he wanted those things to be called and whatever name he gave them, that is how they are called till today. In view of this, everything that exists under the sun has names given to them by human beings; whether those things were created by man or by the Almighty Creator.
Word or combination of words that are given to human beings, animals, places or things is what is refers to as names. (Www.dictionary. com).
Naming ceremonies are done all over the world in different ways and forms depending on the cultural practices and belief of the people of such areas. In Ghana, which is also part of Africa, there are different ethnic groups such as the Akans, the Dagombas, the Ga-Adangmes among others. Each of these ethnic groups has their various ways of naming their babies which is commonly known as “Naming Ceremony”.
The Naming Ceremony among the Dangme ethnic group is called 'Bi Kpojiem/Bierwom' which is similar to that of the Gas (Ga people).
Procedure
Early in morning on a week after a new baby is born, the parents together with the external family members would meet together at an appropriate venue; preferably, their family house to do the Naming Ceremony.
The father of the baby would take the baby from the mother and give it to the Family Head. He would then carry the baby which is well rapped in a soft white cloth very gentle. He would then send the baby to cross a road/foot path outside the house three times with the baby still in his arms. This is to signify that, the baby is expected to go out and return home safely when it grow.
Upon their return to the house, when the family members and other relatives are seated, the family Head would make libation, thanking the Almighty God and the ancestors for such a divine gift and also to ask for their blesses upon the baby.
Prior to the occasion, it is the duty of the father of the baby to consult the Family Head through his father or mother about the appropriate name that should be given to the child. Then, the Head of family would suggest about three preferable names for the father of the baby to choose one from among them. Nevertheless, there are some names that are automatically inherited due to the day of birth, the gender of the baby and the birth position of the baby. Some of the names that are given to babies based on their days of birth and positions are:
Day of Birth
Male name
Female name
Birth Position
Male name
Female name
Sunday
Kuesi
Awisi
First
Tettey
Dede
Monday
Kujo/Kuajo
Adjo
Second
Tetteh
Korkor
Tuesday
Korbla
Abla
Third
Teye
Yomle
Wednesday
Kuerku
Aku
Fourth
Narh
Maku
Thusday
Yaw
Soyo/Yaa
Fifth
Narteh
Ladjeh
Friday
Kofi
Afi
Sixfth
Keney
Namo
Saturday
Kuami
Ami
Seventh
Kenetey
Namoki
Some of the special names that must need the consultation of the elders include: Djangmah, Amanor, Adamtey, Nuertey, Tamatey, Korle/Korletey, Saki/Sakitey among others for the male children and Narki, Teiko, Nako, Kosi, Nuerki, Larko among others for the female children. There are some other names that are given to babies due situations/circumstances. Some of these situational names include; Sehenge, Maunyenoh, Nyengor, Maulerde and so on for the girls. To the boys, we have; Maupiorga, Buawolor, Mausane, Balorbe and so on.
The chosen name would then be pronounced onto the baby for example; Tettey Kuojo Mausane (male) or Dade Korleki Sehenge. The pronouzation of the name goes together with some drops water into the baby's mouth as well as drink. By so doing, they are trying to demonstrate to the baby the difference between good and bad.
After that, the baby would then be thrown into the air and catch three times by way of welcoming it into the world and also to expose it to the difference between the light and the dark nature of the world. Then a particular band called 'Lah' would be tie around the baby's wrist. This wrist band is made up of three different pieces of beads: the black is called 'tovi', the white is called 'nyori' and the normal bead is also called 'mueh/korli'. The black bead represent lie/ falsehood, the white also represent truth and the other one present freedom; that is to mean that the baby is a freed child and not a slave child.
After that is done, the father would be the first person to confirm/endorse the name by offering a gift to the baby. The token of gift must be a full men's cloth that the father is still using together with an amount of money. This used cloth of the father, is said to be used as a pillow to the baby due to its softness nature and also for the baby to experience comfortability and fatherly care. Then the audience would also join in offering their gifts such as cash, or items which may include; baby soaps, powders, pomades, dresses, among others to baby and its mother. This is by way of endorsing the name and also to demonstrate their love to the parents and the baby.
Conclusion
From this point, then begins the celebration of the baby with sharing of drink, singing and dancing the traditional music called 'klama' to crown up the occasion.
This ends the traditional naming ceremony of the Dangme people of Ghana. However, if the parents are Christians, then either their Pastor would be invited to bless the baby in their house during the ceremony or a special date would be fixed for the baby to be sent to the church for God's blessing and also to receive gifts from the church members.
Written by: Djangmah Ebenezer Boawolor
DCS 20706
GHANA INSTITUDE OF JOURNALISM
1st April, 2020.
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