ABOUT NAMING CEREMONY
Naming ceremony is one of the culture in some part of Nigeria... It is a ceremony at which a baby(not up to 6 months) is given a name...
This ceremony is done before the baby is taken to the church(christians) for dedication
To some state, it's a big ceremony.. To some it's not and to some state like mine, it's not a pronounced ceremony at all.
The naming ceremony has significance to those that celebrates it but the most important aspect of a naming ceremony is that it offers you the chance to focus on your child’s future development, welfare and happiness and for you to affirm that you will try to be the best parent you can...A naming ceremony stands to be a way for family members to declare that they would like to be involved in your child's welfare and to pray and bless the child
For adoptive children of any age, a naming ceremony is a great way of welcoming them into your life and binding the new family unit
A name giving ceremony does not remove the requirement to register the birth of your child.
Who takes the Naming Ceremony
Anyone you choose can lead the naming ceremony! A grandparent, close family member or friend or even yourself. Alternatively you can invite a professional celebrant like MC to lead the proceedings
Having a celebrant or someone else lead the event helps take some of the stress out of the day and helps you to concentrate on your little one and the ceremony itself.
What is format for the Naming ceremony?
Its really the choice of who is the host that matters here... You have the right to design or tell how it should look like or the format it should take.
Photo source: @estherekanem
THE NAMING CEREMONY I ATTENDED
Naming ceremony is not really a culture in my state(Akwa ibom) but my uncle insisted he wants to do it as he has witnessed it before..
It was on a Sunday evening...
Everywhere looked gloomy.. I could hear the sound of the baby girl(my little cousin) crying..
People filled the compound and the women were busy cooking..
It looked more like a marriage introduction done in my state
I was so eager to witnessed it as that was my first time..
Finally, everything was set..
The kitchen people gave signal. The refreshment people did same.. The visitors were all seated..
I could site the person that was to lead up and standing.. He was the elder brother of the baby's father
The ceremony started with an opening prayer(cos we are Christians) followed by Few choruses were sang from different people taking the lead..
proper introduction of visitors and everyone that were present was done by the individuals..
Minutes later, the leader came up, cheered the crowd and ordered that the child be brought to the stage...
That was done and he asked the father to tell the crowd the aim of the ceremony... Quoting him by his words, he said, "we are here today for the naming ceremony of my daughter who was born few weeks ago....."
He was asked to name the child... The mother handed over the child to him and he spoke few words and then ended with, "This child's name is Abasifreke(meaning God never forgets)" with glimpse of smiles on his face
Wooooooow! The crowd cheered
People shouted and everywhere seems to be filled with joy
After the cheers, it was blessing time..
The father was asked to pray for the child, followed by the mother.. The grandparent from both maternal and paternal sides prayed too.. The father's friend, mother's friend, family member and we'll wishers were asked to pray one after the other...
It was really a blessed period as everyone stood in affirmation to the prayer point
Photo source: @estherekanem
After the prayers, the leader did a summary of the prayers and the section ended...
He turned to the father and asked what he had for them and he brought lots of things...
Garden egg was one of it(was told it signifies peace and fruitfulness), pepper soup made with chicken, canda meat(cow skin), groundnut, alcohol, malt and every other type of drink...
It looked more like a cultural celebration indeed...
People like me were busy sharing the food and every other thing...
After the eating section, it was the closing prayer and benediction...
People greeted each other, congratulated the baby's parent, wished the little child well and bid the parent farewell...
I mean, it was fun-filled
I was so excited to have witnessed the event
Photo source: @estherekanem