The Yoruba take grate care in naming children.
The naming ritual is an important part of the Yoruba culture. They believe that
the name given to a child greatly influences their life, "Since it is
generally believed that names are like spirits which would like to live out
their meanings, parents do a thorough search before giving names to their babies”
(sweetmotherinternational.org)
The naming ritual, also called the naming ceremony,
usually takes place seven or nine days after a child’s birth; seven days for a
male child and nine days for a female child.
Close family and a few honored guest and some community members attend
the ritual. Family elders play an important part in naming the child.
The ritual begins with a family elder starting a
prayer that asks for blessings for the child. For different religious groups
within the Yoruba people, this part of the ritual may vary. For Christians a
candle is lit to “signify the light of the world and ask for the presence of
God” (Hornblend.com)
The child, or the mother in place of the child, is
then given seven different items that have different symbolism. The items are:
“water, salt, honey and/ or sugar, palm oil, bitter kola, pepper, and dried
fish” They all mean a different thing.
Item
|
Symbolism / nature
|
Purpose
|
Water (omi)
|
Water is everlasting and has no enemies, since everything in
life needs water to survive.
|
Given so that the child will never be thirsty in life and that
no enemies will slow its growth.
|
Palm oil (epo)
|
Used to prevent rust, to lubricate and to massage and soothe
the body.
|
Given for a smooth and easy life; and living a life in love
and no friction.
|
Bitter Kola (orogbo)
|
Unlike most other kola nuts, bitter kola lasts a very long
time.
|
Given so that the child will have a very long life.
|
Kola nut (obi)
|
Kola nut is chewed and then spat out.
|
Given to repel the evil in life.
|
Honey (oyin)
|
Used as a sweetener in food.
|
Given for a sweet and happy life.
|
Pepper (ata)
|
Pepper has many seeds within its fruit.
|
Given for a fruitful life with lots of children.
|
Dried fish (eja)
|
A fish lives in water, its natural environment, and uses its
head to find its way in water, no matter how rough the water may be.
|
Given so that the child will remain in its natural environment
(the love of its parents) and will find its way in life and never be
overcome, even in tough times.
|
Salt (iyo)
|
Used to add flavor to and preserve food.
|
Given so that the child’s life will not be ordinary, but
filled with flavor, happiness and substance, and so that the child will
preserve all that is good.
|
After this has taken place, the group gathered for the ritual
begins to call out names for the child as well as present gifts to the family
for the child. The group recites each name after it is called out. This leads
to a child having more than one name, because as each person from the group may
call out a different name for a child, this is the name they will call the
child by. Once this step is completed then more prayer are said.
References:
Mark Stevenson Fuo (N/A) Y ORUBA- NIGERIA/ SALVADOR - BAHIA: NAMING CEREMONIES
eremonies/yoruba--nigeria-salvidor
No Author (2010) The Yoruba Naming Ceremony
Reflection:
ReplyDeleteI found learning about the Yoruba Naming Ritual very interesting. Naming a child involves more then just the parents of a child. The naming ritual brings the family and community together. I feel like this also helps involve these people in the child's life more, because they can identify more with the child. I also found a few list of different names for the children. Before modern day, many names where linked with different Gods or deities within the Yoruba religion. I also like the fact that the people believe that a name is linked with the future of a child. This is very interesting to see that a name can effect your whole life. This is a very important part in the Yoruba culture