GAvTRADITIONAL OUTDOORING AND NAMING CEREMONY.

“KPOJIEMƆ”

By Richard Afutu Kotei.

richardkotei@hotmail.com

+1 561 758 8480 ( USA )

+233 241 063 660 (GH )

Contents

•⁠  ⁠Background information .

•⁠  ⁠⁠Introduction.

•⁠  ⁠⁠Items needed.

•⁠  ⁠⁠House blessing.

•⁠  ⁠⁠Baby blessing.

•⁠  ⁠⁠Naming baby.

•⁠  ⁠⁠Donations.

•⁠  ⁠⁠Reception.

Background information .

The Ga peaple are part of the Ga-Danŋme ethnic group of Ghana and they inhabit mostly the Greater Accra plains. They include Ga-Mashie, Osu, La, Teshie, Nungua, Tema, Ningo, Kpone, Osu-Doku, Shai, Krobo, Gbugbla, Ada and Agotime people. Population is about 2 million and roughly equals to 8% of the Ghana population .

Religion: Traditional belief systems, Christianity and Islam.

Commom names:  Nikoi, Kotey, Naa Lamiley, Narteh, Oko, Odoi, Naa Dei, Koshie, Naa Shorme, Sowah, Sooyoo, Yemoley, Koney, Ankrah, Sai, Bortey, Addo , Okpoti, Adei, Odotei, Adjei, Lamptey, Sackitey, Ocansey, Otu, Doodu, Sackitey, Tei. Teiko, Amon, Kuorkor .

Commoṅ food: Kenkey, Banku, Fish and Okro.

Common sports: Boxing and Soccer.

Commom festivals: Homowo, Asafotufiam, Kloyosikplemi, Ngmayem.

Traditional music and dance: Kpanlogo, Gome, Jama, Kple, Kpatsa, Otofo, Dipo, Klama.

Introduction :

By custom and tradition, every Ga male has the names of his children  pre-arranged for him on the day of his birth according to his ancestral background and the clan he is from, yet an an elaborate ritual and ceremony is performed to formally introduce the name to the family and to the friends of the family. This ceremony takes place on the eighth day of the child’s birth at dawn when the moon ( tsotsoobi ) is still visible and the sunrise barely in the horizon. It takes place at the child’s paternal grandfather’s house or the house of the paternal head of the family ( Tsɛmɛi Awe ). This ceremony is called ‘ Kpojiemɔ ‘ which literally translated to mean outdooring and it also safely be a ceremony of initiation and sanctification of the baby. Up until that day, the mother and the baby spend most of their days indoors, sequestered and kept away from the general public and also the child has no name and not counted as a member of the family.

Kpojiemɔ one of the most revered and valued ritual and ceremony of the Ga people and it has a strong spiritual and cultural value. 

Items needed:

1.⁠ ⁠One bottle of a strong clear alcoholic drink preferably Gin.

2.⁠ ⁠⁠One bottle of sweet wine.

3.⁠ ⁠⁠One bottle of a non-alcoholic corn drink ( Ŋmaadaa ) . May use Malt drink if ŋmaadaa is unavailable.

4.⁠ ⁠⁠Two bottles of water.

Officiating staff:

1.⁠ ⁠A male elder from the father’s side of the family.

2.⁠ ⁠⁠A chosen person by the child’s parents approved by family elders.  He or she must be of the same sex as the child, a person with a near impeccable and commendable character, good hearted, honest, hardworking, morally and spiritually sound and with excellent reputation . According to the cultural and spiritual doctrine of the Ga people, it is believed that the child shall inherit the character of this person, meaning the Spiritual God Parent of the child.

House blessing:

The ceremony starts very early in the morning when the moon ‘ Tsotsoobi ‘ is still visible and the rising sun is barely seen in the horizon. The family and friends gather together at the child’s paternal grandfather’s house or the ancestral head of the family’s home , ‘Tsɛmɛi Awe ‘.

The appointed elder pours libation ( prayers ) at the enterances of the house invoking the presence of  the Almighy God and to cast away all demons, evil spirits out of the house and to bless the house and the gathering with good and joyful spirits.

Libation: ( Prayer by the elder ).

Chant: Agoo Awomɛi kɛ Ataamɛi !

< parents, grandparents , ancestors, family members and friends of family gathered here this morning , I petition your attention >

Respose:

Amɛɛ.

< petition granted >

Chant: Agoo Awomɛi kɛ Ataamɛi !

< parents, grandparents , ancestors, family members and friends of family gathered here this morning , I petition your attention >

Respose:

Amɛɛ.

< petition granted >

Chant: Agoo Awomɛi kɛ Ataamɛi !

< parents, grandparents , ancestors, family members and friends of family gathered here this morning , I petition your attention >

Respose:

Amɛɛ.

< petition granted >

Chant : Tshwa Tshwa Tshwa Omanye aba.!

< may good omen come to us >

Response: Hiao. 

< may our prayers come true >

Chant : Tshwa Tshwa Omanye aba.!

< may good omen come to us >

Response: Hiao. 

< may our prayers come true >

Chant : Tshwa Omanye aba.!

< may good omen come to us >

Response: Hiao. 

< may our prayers come true >

Chant: Nŋɛnɛ ashi mɛ̃ ?

< what day is today ? >

Response: Nŋɛnɛ ashi.( day of the week )

Niimɛi a (DOTW)

Naamɛi a ( DOTW )

< today is DOTW, honorable DOTW, blessed DOTW>

This is to thank God for making this particular DOTW to all of us here.

The baby is striped naked or almost naked and given to the chosen person.

Chant: Wɔkɛ gbekɛ̃ nɛ̃ɛ mii tshɔ̃ɔ tsotsoobi ee ei !

< we are raising this child up and showing him/her to the holy moon and the rising sun. He/She will grow and shine bright and will be the light and energy to the world >

The chosen person  raised the baby up and gently touch his/ her back to the ground three times while the above prayer is being said.

After the third time, the baby is gently placed on the ground on his/ her back.

The chosen person will take off his/ her shoes, steps over the baby’s feet three times and use his/ her feet to tap the baby’s feet three times while praying and chanting.      Chant : Kɔ mi name.

< follow my footsteps and take my good character.>

Response : Hiao.

< yes >

The chosen person picks the baby from the floor, stands up holding the baby.

Child Blessing 

This done by the elder, while envisioning a bright and productive future for the baby.

Child Blessing: By the elder.

Chant: Agoo Awomɛi kɛ Ataamɛi !

< parents, grandparents, ancestors, family members and friends we seek your attention >

Response: Amɛɛ.

< yes , you have our attention >

[ this is repeated 3 times ]

Chant : Tshwa Tshwa Tshwa omanye aba !

< may good omen come to us >

Response: Hiao.

< yes >

This is also repeated 3 times reducing the ‘ Tshwa ‘ from 3 – 2 then 1.

Chant: Wɔsɛ̃ii ayi ati.

< may we have unity in our increased numbers >

Response: Hiao.

< yes >.   

Chant: Wɔblɔi ayi ati !

< may we find unity in our increased strength >

Response: Hiao.

< yes >

Chant: Wɔ bɔle kutuu wɔkpe !

< whenever we meet, may the circle we form be complete . United family. >

Chant: Wɔje bu, wɔje nu !

< may our efforts yield fruitful results >

Response: Hiao

< yes .>

Chant: Wɔyɛ nu wɔnu, wɔkoji anɔ ajɔ wɔ !

< may the fruits of our labour bring us peace >

Response: Hiao.

< yes >

Chant:Gbɔ ni eba lɛ, esɛɛ tuu!

< may darkness always be in the past for this child >

Response : Hiao

< yes >

Chant: Ehiɛ faŋŋ !

< may his path into the future be bright and clear >

Response: Hiao .

< yes >

Chant: Ekɛ nine kome ba !

< you came alone >

Response: Hiao .

< yes >

Chant: Wɔ here bo kɛ nijii enyɔ !

< you are being welcomed by many >

Response : Hiao .

< yes >

Chant: Enyɛ yi wala !

< long life for the mother >

Response : Hiao.

Chant: Etsɛ yi wala !

< long life for the father >

Response:Hiao .

< yes >

Chant: Weku an faanii afa lɛ !

< may the be able help and support him/ her when in need >

Response: Hiao.

< yes >

Chant: Ehiɛ abagbo jeŋ !

< be respectful >

Response: Hiao.

< yes >

Chant: Ajuuu !

< No stealing >

Resɛonse: Hiao.

< yes >

Chant: Amaleee !

< be honest >

Response : Hiai.

< yes >

Chant: Ga humibi lɛ kɔɔyɔɔ tswaa dani ewieɔ !                           < a Ga person is not a loose talker >

Response : Hiao.

< yes >

Chant: Onu onuko, ona onako !

< you may see things, just observe; you may hear things, just listen >

Response : Hiao.

< yes >

Chant : Tshwa omanye aba !

< may good omen come to us all >

Response : Hiao.

< yes >

Chant : Jeee wɔ gbee kome ?

< we are all together on this, do we all agree? >

Response : Hiao .

< yes >

Chant: Tshwa omanye aba.

< may good omen come to us >

Response : Hiao.

< yes >

The baby is now given ( wet lips ) alcoholic drink which is an advice against drinking. Then few drops ( wet lips) of water, an advice that water is the basis of life and it also symbolizes purity. Lastly few drops ( wet lips ) of sweet drink ( ŋmaadaa ) sybolizing fruits of the land and the benefits of hard and honest work .

Child naming:The baby us dressed and given back to the mother. The father gives a bottle clear alcoholic drink , preferably gin, to the elder and whispers the full name of the baby to him. The elder now stands and loudly announces the baby’s name to the family and friends while holding the drink in his hand. He opens the bottle, pours few drips on the ground as he announces the name loud and clear, instructing all present to make sure that the child is to be called only by that name.       The drink is then passed for every one to take a sip while pronouncing the baby’s full name.

Donations : Cash donation is collected for the baby. The moderator will colorfully  announce the relationship between the donor and the baby. The cash collected is given to the mother who will deposit it into the baby’s first bank account.

Reception : Breakfast is served, music is played and the party begins.

Ending : The elder prays and give the vote of thanks to bring the gathering to an end .