“kpodsiemo” - Name Ceremony of The —Ga— or —Accra— People of the African Gold Coast

“kpodsiemo” - Name Ceremony
The —Ga— or —Accra— People of the African Gold Coast.

As soon as a child is born, the husband and his family are at once informed, so that they may go and congratulate both the mother and the newcomer. The husband then sends a present to all who have assisted at the birth. The present frequently consists of rum, and therefore called “Defomo dan,” the hand washing rum. The husband then sends one of his cloths for use as a pillow for the child. This is absolutely necessary, as it is the first actual sign of recognition by him that the child is his.
On the eighth day, a week after birth, according to the native calculation, the child is taken out and publicly presented to families of both the father and mother, as well as to friends at the father’s or grandfather’s house, if they live in separate houses. The mother’s and father’s families meet together at the paternal grandfather’s house or the father’s house in the morning between 2 and 4; they take to the meeting corn, wine and other drinks.
A person of good character and reputation in either of the two families, or outside of them, is next asked to take the child in his arms, hold it up and bring it down three times gently on the floor, sprinkle water on it three times, and then the father’s family name the child with one of their family names.
Next the owner, or the eldest person in the house or quarter where the ceremony is being performed, will say the following prayer for blessing on the child:

Tsua Tsua Tsua manye aba
Tsua Tsua Tsua manye aba
Tsu-a Tsu-a Tsu-a manye aba,
Osoro (Osu) Ahatiri,
Obu Ahatiri,
Oboro dutu wokpe,
Wodsebu wodse nu,
Wo ye wo nu wo kodsii adso wo,
Gboni bale etse yi ana wala,
Enye yi ana wala,
Esee tuu,
Ehee fann,
Eyi aba gbodsen,
Ese aba halaann,
Wekumei wona faa ni wo fa le,
Eba tsu eha wo ni woye,
Eko atasi ni eko aba,
Ganyo humile koyo tsua dani owieo,
Tsua Tsua Tsua manye aba.
To which the others answer “Yao!”

A free translation into English of the above would be:

Oyez! may the Gods pour their blessing upon us!
Oyez! may the Gods pour their blessing upon us!
Oyez! may the Gods pour their blessing upon us!A child has been born (presented); we have formed a circle round to view it.
Whenever we dig may it become a well full of water: and when we drink out of the means of health and strength to us!
May the parents of this child live long!
May it never look at the place whence it came!
May it be pleased always to dwell with us!
May it have respect for the aged!
May it be obedient to elders, and do what is right and proper.
May many more follow, full of grace and honor!
May the families always be in a position to pay respect and regard to this child, and out of his earnings may we have something to live upon!
May it live long and others come and meet it!
As a Ga person does not speak at random, so may this child be careful of his words and speech, and speak the truth so that he may not get into trouble and palavers!
Oyez! may the Gods pour their blessing upon us!"
To which the others say "Amen!"

This ceremony is called “kpodsiemo” and is made up of three words meaning in English Annunciation, Proclamation, and Naming. Some people compare the word with "Baptism." Whatever the meaning, there can be little doubt but that the form of ceremony seems similar to the Jewish one.