Contest Entry:A Cultural Practice In Ghana And The Motive Behind It

"Grandma it's a boy!!!" Melinda said with so much excitement as she run to hug her grandmother after speaking to her Dad on the phone.Grandma was really excited because she had been waiting for a gandson for over 14 years after Melinda's birth.
Granny Granny I want to name my little brother Alexander when mommy comes home with him,Melinda who just came to Ghana for holidays with her mom from United States of America said with so much excitement."No Mel baby we'll have to follow our African Culture"Grandma said and noticed the disappointment on her face.
"What do you mean by no,Grandma but she's my little brother anyway and mom promised me she was going to allow me to do that.Granny you're really no fun."Melinda said sadly.
"Oh come on my pretty Melinda baby ,have a seat",Granny said.
She reluctantly took her seat beside grandma.
Let me tell you something you do not know;your beautiful African culture,Granny said
Oh come on Granny I know my African culture,I really know our way of life, Melinda replied.
I know you do but cultures are in many forms:our languages,rituals and ceremonies,food ,dance and many more.Let me tell you about a special ceremony here in Ghana specifically for Fantes.

In Ghana,there are six ethnic groups namely the Akans,Ewes,Ga-Adangbes,Mole Dagbanis,Guans and Gurmas.

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Melinda can you tell me which ethnic group you think you are from?Granny asked.
"Oh yeah I know I'm a fante so definitely the Akans",Melinda replied.
"That's my baby girl"Granny said with a big smile.
Yes we're Akans and Fantes to be precise,she continued.
Every ethnic group in Ghana have their own special culture which includes a unique way of naming their child.
The Fantes call it Dzinto, meaning naming.
"This is getting exciting"Melinda said with so much interest.
Yes dear,Granny said and continued.
After a baby is born,he is kept indoors for seven days.
Seven days?,is it like he's grounded?!Melinda interrupted
Haha,no Melinda,the baby is kept indoors for seven days because it is believed that some babies are spirits.
Spirits?!! Melinda interrupted again.
Yes spirits,Granny answered.They are spirits who return back within the seven days and so if a baby dies within the seven days he is born, there's no mourning but if he lives past those days,it means that he is part of us and have come to stay and that is when we start preparing for his or her dzinto(naming ceremony).
Oh that's clear now but what if he dies after seven days,Melinda asked.
He'll be mourned just like any other person that dies because he was part of us and not a spirit who came to tour,Granny answered.
Preparations are done and a day is set for the dzinto of the baby,Granny continued.
This is done to officially welcome the baby to the world and also for the baby to be easily identified by the community with his name.
The father of the baby is responsible for choosing a name.Most often the last name of the father is given to the child but again and again the name to be given to the child is solely the father's responsibility.
If a baby is born on Monday,he/she is named Kojo/Adjoa

Day	Name
Tuesday	Kobena/Abena
Wednesday	Kweku/Akua
Thursday	Ekow/Yaa
Friday	Kofi/Afua
Saturday	Kwame/Aba
Sunday	Kwesi/Esi

If they are twins;Panyin and Kakra.The third child after the twins is named Tawiah.
Oh so that's why you've been calling me Maame Akua,Melinda said with so much excitement.
Yes Melinda, you're were born on Thursday Granny replied.
On the day of the naming ceremony,Friends and family gather to Grace the occasion all dressed in white which symbolizes victory and life,Granny continued.
That is where you see the richness in our African prints, people dressed in rich kente, adorned in beads and with their heads wrapped with beautiful dukus(scarfs).

A typical fante naming ceremony wear

The ceremony is started after the baby is brought out.
After thanking the supreme being for life and exchanging plesantries,the baby's paternal grandfather takes the baby into his arms and announces the name of the baby to the gathering.He then goes ahead to put a drop of water and mild alcohol on his tongue while mentioning the child name following certain declarations. Example Maame Akua Nsu a,nsu:Nsa a, Nsa which translates if it's water then water,if it's alcohol then it's alcohol.
Alcohol? aren't we supposed to start drinking at the legal age?Melinda asked with confusion.
"Yes Melinda but this alcohol is very mild and it's just a drop given the baby,he doesn't get drunk"Granny replied admist laughter.
This symbolizes truth;The child should grow up and be truthful.He shouldn't say what he has not seen and never bear false witness.
Blessings from the supreme being are requested for the child and the ceremony is brought to an end.

Friends and family present gifts to the child and his family.Merry is made while eating all kinds of food like

fante fante(fresh fish stew with banku)

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fante kenkey dishes

Abom

and all kinds of drinks like

Nsa efuw(Palm wine).

Thank you Granny,I can't wait to experience my little brother's Dzinto,Melinda said.

Thank you all for your attention.
Special thanks to @silencewan for this contest.