Child-Naming Ceremonies

Throughout western Africa, children were traditionally considered a blessing, not only to the parents, but to the extended family and the community as well.  Many ethnic groups conduct ceremonies that focus on multiple phases of the arrival of a new child, from conception through the first several years of life.  The child-naming ceremony (or ceremonies) is a celebration that brings together the extended family and the community.  

Traditional names are meaningful and dynamic.  Children are often given several names.  The name(s) given may reflect the circumstances of the child's birth, the state of the family/community, or serve as prayers for the child's life. 

Ọmọ-Odùduwà (Yoruba) Child Naming Tradition:

The Ọmọ-Odùduwà (commonly referred to as the Yoruba people of present-day Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, and Togo), traditionally perform the Isọmọlorukọ ("tell the child [it's] name") ceremony as part of a celebration that occurs (including the day of birth) on the seventh day after birth for a girl, the ninth day after birth for a boy, and the eighth day after birth for a boy and girl set of twins.  Many contemporary Yoruba observe this ceremony on the eighth day for all children, irrespective of gender.  During the ceremony, the child is given an orukọ by an elder member of the family.   Traditionally, the Ọmọ-Odùduwà did not name children after anyone else.  Instead, the orukọ, which functions as the child's given name, is a unique name that makes a a statement about the child.  In addition to the orukọ, the newborn may also receive several oriki, or praise/prayer names, from members of the family.  An oriki expresses the giver's hope for how the child will interact with the world and is used to encourage the child to tap their inner strength when dealing with life's challenges.

Akan Child Naming Tradition:

The Akan people (of present-day Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo) traditionally perform the Abadinto ("to join [the] name") as part of the outdooring ceremony on the eighth day after birth.  Most Akan newborns are given at least two names.  The first name, kradin (soul name) often reflects the day of the week on which the child was born or some other characteristic related to the circumstances of the child's birth.  The agyadin (name from the father) or din-pa (formal name), is bestowed by the newborn's father; it is often the name of a beloved family member and serves a as a prayer that the baby will grow up to be like their namesake.   

Efik Eburutu Child Naming Tradition:

The Efik Eburutu, or Efiik, people (of present-day southern Nigeria and western Cameroon) perform the Usio Enyiñg ("act of naming") within a few days of the child's birth, based on the health of the mother and circumstances of the family.  Most Efik Eburutu children will receive at least three names.  The enyiñg emana (birth name) reflects the day of the week or time day the child was born, birth order, or some other circumstance related to the child's birth.  Efik families maintain a bank of family names, which are only given to descendants of that specific lineage; the father's family bestows an ata enyiñg (real name) from their family name bank.  It is common for several members of the family to carry the same ata enyiñg; as a result, the enyiñg ufok ("name used [in the] house" or udori enyiñg ("additional name") adds specificity, such as the child's relationship to the rest of the family or their birth order.