Naming: DZINTO

 Naming traditions in the Mfantse culture are deeply rooted in various factors. These include the day of birth, unique circumstances surrounding the arrival of the newborn, the season in which the baby is born, and other significant considerations.

NAMING BY DAY OF BIRTH 

Everyone is assigned a name at birth based on the day of birth. Men are women are assigned to gendered variations of these names. These names always come first before other names.

Likewise, the order of the birth of you and your siblings is a factor in assigning a name to you. Any remarkable circumstances surrounding your birth could contribute to picking a name for you. 

These names are also assigned at birth but are not first names.

When a couple feel that strange circumstances are responsible for the passing of their children, they undergo some life-giving rituals. After the birth of their next child, the baby is given a unique tribal mark to identify them as a kɔ san ba, meaning, “a child who goes and returns”.

 They give strange names to this child. These names are usually unappealing, meaningless or mysterious. They could be names of animals or unsightly things. It is believed that giving such unpleasant names to the children makes their spirit want to live for a chance to get a good name. However, if you give them normal names, it may feel loved and therefore, repeat its death and birth cycle tricks. A kɔ san ba must be called by their assigned names up until the time a priest determines that it is harmless to call them by their other names, which rarely happens. 

Examples of such names 

1. Goat

Apɔnkye

2. Came to stand or come and stand

Begyina

3. No clear meaning

Kaya

4. Let it be

 Ma Ɔnka (Ma’nka)

5. We are watching

Yɛrehwɛ

6. Start talking

 Fikyir ase kã

7. Go

KƆ

8. What did you come to do?

 Bɛyɛɛdɛn?

9. Suffer to get

Brenya

10. Abɛbrɛsɛ

Suffering

10. Ɔkor nka

Let one remain

NAMING BY RELATION

People could also be called by such names as:

1. Mother

Maame

2. Father

Paapa

3. Sister or female cousin

Akyerɛbaa/ Nua basia

4. My brother/ my sister

Mo nua

5. My brother

Mo nua banyin

6. Aunt or any elderly woman

Antie

7. Uncle or any elderly men

Wɔfa

NAMING BY TITLES

In Fante tradition, addressing people by titles is common and acceptable. Some children are bestowed titles that serve as part of their real names.

1. Lord/Mr

Owura

2. Lady/Miss

 Aketesia or Awuraba

3. Gentleman

Abrantse

4. Chief or king

Nana

5. Woman

Maame

6. Man

Papa

7. Last born

 Ɔka’ekyir

8. Chief or king

Ɔhen

Thank you for stopping by. We hope you gained valuable insights today. 

Feel free to share your questions and suggestions in the comments section below. 

Stay tuned for our next enlightening lesson on the Fante culture!