Basic 8 · Religious and Moral Education · Rites of Passage
Naming Ceremonies in the Three Main Religions
In this topic you will describe naming ceremonies in Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion and explain the meaning of their practices.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain what rites of passage are
- Describe naming ceremonies in ATR
- Describe naming ceremonies in Christianity and Islam
What you already know
- Meaning of rites of passage
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Rites of Passage
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.1 – Describe the naming ceremonies in the three major religions
Introduction
Every person passes through stages of life. In Ghana, the arrival of a baby is celebrated by the whole family.
1. Rites of Passage
A rite of passage is a ceremony that marks a person's movement from one stage of life to another. The four major rites of passage in Ghana are naming, puberty, marriage and death. Each has a religious and a social purpose. It places the person in a new position in the family and community, and it teaches the duties of that stage. Rites of passage also bring people together, strengthening ties between families.
2. Why Names Matter
In Ghanaian culture, a name is more than a label. It may show the day of birth, the family, the circumstances of birth or a hope for the child. Among the Akan, every child has a day name, such as Kofi for a boy born on Friday or Ama for a girl born on Saturday. Names like Nyamekye ("God's gift") express gratitude. Family names link a child to his or her ancestors, and the Bible also says that a good name is better than great riches (Proverbs 22:1).
3. The Akan Outdooring
- The ceremony usually takes place early in the morning on the eighth day after birth.
- Family and friends gather at the family house.
- The baby is brought outside, often for the first time.
- A respected elder gives the child a name, often after a relative of good character.
- Water and an alcoholic drink are each put on the baby's lips.
- The elder says that when the child says water, it must be water, and when the child says drink, it must be drink.
- Prayers are said, gifts are given and food is shared.
The water and the drink teach the child to tell truth from falsehood. The ceremony expresses the wish that the child will be truthful all through life.
4. Traditional Naming Among Other Peoples
Among the Ga, the naming ceremony is called kpodziemo, which means taking the child outside. It too takes place early in the morning, usually on the eighth day. An elder gives the name, and water and drink are again used in teaching the child to be truthful. Details differ between peoples, and many families today mix traditional, Christian and Islamic practices. What they share is the wish to welcome the child, give thanks and ask for blessing.
New words
- outdooring
- Bringing a baby out and naming the child.
- kpodziemo
- The Ga naming ceremony.
- day name
- A name based on the day of birth.
- elder
- A respected older member of the family.
Summary
- Rites of passage mark new stages of life.
- Names show family ties, circumstances and hopes.
- The Akan and Ga name a child on the eighth day and teach truthfulness.
Class activity: Names and Meanings
- Share the meaning of your names.
- Write down your day name and how it was chosen.
- Tell the class one interesting name story.
You need: Baby cloth, Calabash, Printed photographs of Ghanaian naming ceremonies
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The Akan name a child on the…
- A. eighth day
- B. first day
- C. fortieth day
- D. hundredth day
Show answer
Answer: eighth dayOutdooring.2. Kpodziemo is the naming ceremony of the…
- A. Ga
- B. Akan
- C. Ewe
- D. Dagomba
Show answer
Answer: GaGa rite.3. Naming is a rite of passage.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueBirth stage.4. A Friday-born Akan boy is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: KofiDay name.5. State the four main rites of passage.
Show answer
Answer: Naming, puberty, marriage and death.Life stages.6. Explain the meaning of the water and drink in the Akan naming ceremony.
Show answer
Answer: They teach the child to know truth from falsehood and to be truthful in life.Symbolism.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Rites of Passage
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.1 – Describe the naming ceremonies in the three major religions
Introduction
Christian and Muslim families also celebrate a child's birth and give thanks to God, each in their own way.
1. Christian Dedication and Baptism
Christian families in Ghana often name their children at church. In churches such as the Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican, an infant is baptised. The priest or minister pours water on the child's head and says the name, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Parents and godparents promise to bring up the child in the Christian faith. In churches such as the Pentecostal and Baptist, baptism is usually reserved for those old enough to decide for themselves. The child is dedicated to God instead, following the example of Jesus, who was presented in the Temple (Luke 2:22). Prayers and thanksgiving follow, and the family often hold a celebration at home.
2. Islamic Naming: Aqiqah
- The call to prayer (adhan) is whispered into the baby's right ear soon after birth.
- On the seventh day, the aqiqah ceremony is held.
- The baby's head is shaved, and charity may be given.
- A name is given, often that of a prophet or a name with a good meaning.
- An animal is slaughtered, and the meat is shared with family and the poor.
- The family recite prayers and celebrate.
Muslim scholars generally recommend two sheep for a boy and one for a girl, although this depends on what the family can afford. The adhan means that the first words a child hears are those of faith. Names such as Abdullah ("servant of Allah"), Muhammad and Fatima are popular. In Ghana, the naming may involve an Imam and family gathering at home.
3. Comparing the Ceremonies
| Feature | Traditional | Christian | Islamic |
|---|---|---|---|
| timing | usually eighth day | varies | seventh day |
| leader | elder | priest or pastor | Imam or father |
| main symbol | water and drink | water | adhan, shaving of head |
| wish for child | truthfulness | Christian faith | Muslim faith |
4. What Ceremonies Teach Us
Each ceremony teaches that a child is a gift from God and that the community shares responsibility for bringing the child up. Parents promise to care for and guide the child. Ghana's Children's Act also protects every child's right to a name and nationality, and parents should register births. A birth certificate later helps with schooling and passports. This shows how religious and civil duties support each other.
New words
- baptism
- A Christian ceremony using water.
- dedication
- Presenting a child to God in prayer.
- aqiqah
- The Islamic ceremony on the seventh day.
- adhan
- The Muslim call to prayer.
Summary
- Christians baptise or dedicate children in church.
- Muslims whisper the adhan and hold aqiqah on the seventh day.
- All ceremonies give thanks and show shared responsibility for the child.
Class activity: Ceremony Comparison
- Draw a table comparing the three ceremonies.
- Find what your own family did when you were named.
- Share what you discovered.
You need: Baby cloth, Calabash, Printed photographs of Ghanaian naming ceremonies
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. The Muslim naming ceremony is called…
- A. aqiqah
- B. baptism
- C. hajj
- D. bragoro
Show answer
Answer: aqiqahSeventh day.2. The Muslim naming ceremony takes place on the…
- A. seventh day
- B. second day
- C. twelfth day
- D. first day
Show answer
Answer: seventh dayTradition.3. Baptism uses water.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueChristian rite.4. The call to prayer whispered to a baby is the ______.
Show answer
Answer: adhanFaith.5. What do godparents promise at baptism?
Show answer
Answer: To help bring up the child in the Christian faith.Promise.6. Give two ways in which the three naming ceremonies are alike.
Show answer
Answer: They give thanks for the child, and they show the responsibility of family and community.Comparison.
Homework
- Find out how a child is named in a religion other than your own, and write a short description.