They Call Me 'Yonyakie': A Naming Ceremony Story

Naming ceremonies in Ghana are deeply rooted in the country's cultural traditions and play a significant role in the social fabric of society. It is an important event that serves as a way to introduce a new community member, typically a newborn. However, these ceremonies are held for outsiders such as myself who move into a community for a time. I was lucky enough to experience a naming ceremony last week and I would like to share this tradition and my experience with you today.

I was given the name 'Yonyakie' two days into my stay at my host community but it did not become official until I had a naming ceremony. This is when you know that the community has accepted you as an individual, as it is believed that a person's name can influence their destiny and character, which is no small matter. 

During the naming ceremony, the baby is typically dressed in traditional Ghanaian attire, such as colorful kente cloth or beautiful hand-woven fabrics. Now I am no baby and I have yet to have traditional clothing made for me, so my attire was a casual shirt and trousers. My host family and guests also wore casual clothing instead of their finest traditional attire. It was an intimate event with a select few, so there was no need for a vibrant and festive atmosphere. 

The ceremony itself is usually led by a designated elder or community leader, who performs traditional rituals and prayers to bless the child and offer protection for their future. Besides the naming ceremony itself, there were no other rituals performed for me but there were a lot of prayers that were conducted by a priest from the local Presbyterian Church. 

Now to the food, which plays a central role, with a lavish feast of traditional Ghanaian dishes served to guests. Special dishes such as jollof rice, fried plantains, and fufu are often prepared for the occasion, along with a variety of meats, soups, and stews. The food is shared among family and guests as a way to celebrate the new arrival and bring the community together in a spirit of love and unity. As stated, mine was a small intimate gathering and that day I was away the entire day on Peace Corps matters and did not get home until later in the evening, so the food for me consisted of meat pies and a Coca-Cola. Which was excellent!

Let us talk about the dough, the cheddar, the all-mighty dollar! In Ghana, their currency is known as the Cedi and at naming ceremonies it is usual for money to be given to the individual being named. It is a way of helping them on their path in life, not that dissimilar to receiving money inside a birthday card. What is unique about this particular part is that the money is stepped on by the person giving said money. It is a way of showing approval, of validating not just the individual being named but a means of injecting prosperity into the money. I received 150 cedi, which I am grateful for. 

I also received a bracelet, which coincided with me being told that my new name means - Strength, Courage, and Peace. 

By the end of the ceremony, a group of school-age girls sang a few songs, we laughed, ate some more, talked, and then went our separate ways. It might not have been grand or injected with copious amounts of rituals and tradition but it was a beautiful and meaningful celebration. One that saw me welcomed into the community with love and joy. As a cherished part of Ghanaian culture, for me, this ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of family, community, and tradition in celebrating new beginnings and honoring the circle of life.