Skip to main content

Planning a Yoruba Naming Ceremony in Nigeria

Naming Ceremony in Nigeria
Credit: E Etomi Photography
Organizing a naming ceremony especially for first time parents is tasking but an exciting experience all together. Although some parents are confused when it comes to fixing a date for their new born baby’s naming ceremony. This article will give you an idea on how to plan a stress free naming ceremony for your new born starting with, when, how and items you need to present naming ceremonies your baby. Read on

An ideal  Nigerian naming ceremony is held on the eight day after a child is born (if your baby was born on a Sunday, the naming ceremony will be held the next Sunday) but planning one should be done on a budget – either on a low or high budget to avoid running out of cash after the naming ceremony has come and gone. As you know taking care of infants involves planning ahead, making sure your baby will not lack.

Yoruba (Isomoloruko) Naming Ceremony 

Here in Nigeria, naming ceremonies are done differently depending on your ethnic group.

Traditionally, men are to make a list of names for their baby, but occasionally the woman may be given the opportunity to put down a name for her child. The list of names is handed over to the oldest family member who is given the honour to spell out the names, otherwise the father does it before the prayer commences.

A Standard Yoruba Naming Ceremony is Symbolic, Below are Items Needed:

  • Water (omi): as water has no enemy, as the child drinks water, he will be free of misfortune and that child will have a peaceful long life.
  • Honey oyin): The child will bring sweetness to the life of the parents.
  • Sugar: Sweetness to life 
  • Salt (iyo):  Will compliment joy to the child’s life and the child will be a source of joy to the family.
  • Native Sweet Corn (a’adun): as the corn is dips into oil it gives a sweet taste – brings sweetness.
  • Cola nut (obi): to purge ill fate, illness or death.
  • Atare (alligator pepper): Like the seed an alligator pepper, the child and his/her lineage will multiply
  • Orogbo (bitter cola): The child will live a healthy long life 

Most parents name their child according to the circumstances surrounding the birth of the baby like a child born as a miracle is given Oluwatobi, Oloruntoba etc . Sometimes parents name their children after the child’s grandparent. 

The child’s name(s) are pronounced and confirmed by dropping a coin into a bowl of water, any other person who wishes to name the child will do so and endorse the name by dropping a coin in the bowl of water too. After the child is names, the most senior wife in the family welcomes the child, then traditional food is served (Akara and Akamu or stew with hot yam) together with other assorted foods.

But any family that loses a child often after the child has been named, in this kind of situation that child is said to be an “Abiku” and such a family usually wait or avoid holding a naming ceremony until they are certain that child has come to stay.

Hope this post was helpful? Is there something missing? Please leave us a comment or an added idea if you need to make your own contribution. 

Labels:

Comments

  1. mari16 March 2016 at 14:09

    I am not African, but have been invited to a Yoruba naming ceremony. Should I take a gift (suggestions)? What should I wear?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. momsandbabiesnaija22 March 2016 at 15:40

      Dear Mari, i will say yess to your first question. You could get a simply yet sweet gift for the baby and If you can,then wear wear an African atire: i bet it will look good on you.

      Delete
  2. Peter Floyd21 March 2016 at 05:41

    nice nameing

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous1 February 2017 at 18:48

    Do they use palm oil?????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown11 May 2017 at 02:46

      Yes you must use palm oil as well so that the child can have a smooth life.

      Delete
    2. momsandbabiesnaija23 June 2017 at 18:59

      Thank you Odun

      Delete
  4. Unknown27 July 2017 at 21:12

    Do you select who is going to give the baby a name or does anyone at the party get a turn? Also is someone writing this down like Uncle Joe names the baby Uche?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. momsandbabiesnaija6 August 2017 at 17:10

      Usually, after prayers and ritual depending on the parents belief; an elderly person from the family chosen by the parents is handed the baby with a sheet of paper with names the newborn baby's parents wishes to name him or her. After which a bowl is placed on the table in front of the child's parents and other extended family members and friends are given the honour to partake in naming by dropping money or a gift before saying the name they wish give the baby and someone picked to write down all the names.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous21 November 2017 at 03:50

    Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be at the internet
    the easiest factor to keep in mind of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while other
    folks think about concerns that they plainly do not know about.

    You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out the entire thing without having
    side-effects , other folks can take a signal. Will likely be again to get more.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous31 December 2017 at 01:20

    Right here is the right blog for anybody who would like to understand this topic.
    You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need to...HaHa).

    You certainly put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for ages.
    Great stuff, just great!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous14 March 2018 at 18:39

    Thank you. But you didnt say that each of these are given to the child to taste. That is my understanding

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Newborn Baby Shopping List: Everything You Need to Buy Before Your Baby is Born

Image   courtesy of  criminalatt  at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Are you an expectant mom who is due soon for delivery? In this post, you will see an essential newborn baby shopping checklist of everything an expectant mom needs to buy for the baby, including clothes, bedding, baby carriers, feeding and more.  Read on for a list of important  baby items to buy for use right after your baby is born, and thereafter . Most first-time parents often struggle with knowing the things needed for a new-born baby. When  getting ready for delivery, it is a great idea to prepare a baby checklist in order to give you an idea of how much to budget for your new baby, before its birth. This article will give a quick guide to making your baby checklist. It's very tempting to overspend and buy more than what you really need but our newborn baby checklist below will provide you a list of the absolutely essentials to prepare before your newborn arrives. Read on to see the list. Essential List
30 comments
Read more

Infant Weaning Foods: How to Prepare Rich Homemade Infant Formula

Infants grow faster than  we envisage and breastfeeding alone cannot meet the nutritional requirement of a child in the first and second year. When a child is about four months of age, the child needs supplementary feeding and this is the point where the low cost homemade foods with adequate nutrients and energy are introduced to compliment with breastmilk.             Infant weaning foods  are carefully formulated to equate a balanced nutrition for babies and the raw materials like the soya beans and crayfish are high in protein and energy nutrition. These ingredients are produce from our locally available farm produce like corn, millet, soya beans, plantain and groundnuts, they easy to prepare. Process Measure the quantity of raw material needed  Pick out stones from the millet and soya beans Wash both the millet and soya beans clean After washing, dry them Fry the soya beans to reduce bacterial load and the acidity level, Keep stirring it at inter
23 comments
Read more

Online Stores: Websites to Shop Maternity and Baby Products in Nigeria

Courtesy of blackzheep at FreeDigitalPhotos.net If you are pregnant and wondering how to go about buying everything you have listed on your newborn baby shopping list and maternity wears, this article is for you. More so, if you are a mother who newly delivered or have a toddler(s) and are searching for an online shop in Nigeria where you can get all the items you need for your baby in on place like clothes toys and accessories, you need not bother yourself going from one shop to another looking for what to buy.  There are many websites where you can shop quality online baby clothes, maternity dresses, baby nursery, toys, gift items and accessories and kids wear and lots more at affordable prices without leaving your house. In this article you will find out Nigerian sites you can shop online.  Read on Online shopping gives you a wide range of opportunity to carefully pick varieties of items from one shop like children's clothes, books, toys and more. so you see, shopping
23 comments
Read more

Black Seed: Effectiveness and Uses of Natural Black Seed

Black Seed Black Seed has been in existence for centuries and its botanical name is Nigella Sativa, this plant naturally possess  immense potentials as a healing agent. Nigella Sativa like the English man would call it, black seed has also been traditionally used to treat various health conditions like stomach pains, liver, and kidney, boosts the immune system, and respiratory health. Black seed is also mentioned in the bible as black cumin, you can find this in the book of prophet Isiah chapter 28 verses 25 and 27 Black Seed can be referred to in many names such as: Black cumin Black caraway Roman coriander Habbat-ul-Baraka   Health experts agree that black seed and its oil is, indeed a remedy to help treat resistant fungi infections such methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, it also reduces allergic reaction like catarrh, sore throat and also effective in the management of high blood pressure . Read on Recently, research on the black seed shows tha
14 comments
Read more

Naming Ceremony Pictures: How To Dress For Your Baby’s Naming

Naming ceremony is a tradition in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole. It is a special occasion in Nigeria that symbolizes your culture and brings extended families together and families of different ethnic groups together, the extended families are given opportunities to name the baby. For Yoruba’s and the Ibo’s   a child’s name is often initiated from by circumstances surrounding the of birth of the child. Below are naming ceremony pictures, dressing, food and more to spice up your baby’s naming. Read On #2 Video: Lace Styles (Iro Buba Styles for Occasions)   If you wish to wear a gown for your baby's naming or thanks giving services, below are a few to indulge in. #2. Beautiful  Lace Gown Styles For  Occasions There is no right or wrong way to dress during your baby’s or a friend baby naming ceremony. It is not mandatory but usually the parents wear the same outfit, dress according to what you can reach – or what you already have in your closet. In most
Post a Comment
Read more

Ankara Maternity Styles for Pregnant Nigerian Moms

Photo Credit: Kelechi Amadi Are you pregnant a fashionista and a lover of Ankara fabric? Then this piece of article is for you, so you see being pregnant doesn't mean you have lost your sense of style, with trendy pregnancy Ankara style you can still hold onto your personal style. There are so many Ankara maternity options to help you style up your beautiful baby bump – however big your pregnancy may look. Discover the latest maternity and pregnancy clothing for your shape. Ankara has become part of our Nigerian   traditional attire, the uniqueness in   Ankara   Fabrics brings about show off in African Ankara Fashion World. This fabric can be used create lots of beautiful latest ankara styles for both men and women.  If you pregnant and are looking for what to wear? Here are some More pictures of Pregnancy Ankara Styles. #Video : Maternity Ankara Styles As an African, back in the days African expecially our Nigerian women were always seen on wrapper but in r
4 comments
Read more

Trendy Maternity Clothes for Stylish Nigerian Moms

Kourtney Kardashian in a sweet mini gown Most people misunderstand maternity styles; the misconception here is that maternity clothes appear to be horrible and offensive on pregnant women because of the burgoos nature of some of the dresses. The change in your body does not mean you should change who you are.  All you need do is to step up your dress sense but  stick to your usual style with a little bit of allowance, wear stretchy knee length dresses to beautifully show off your baby bump. When dressing your bump in the second  trimester,   what really counts is your comfort and style but it does not also mean you should transform your wardrobe completely.  Free styled gown with a flat sandal can add some glamour to your bump and make you have a rethink to pregnancy fashion tips.  When pregnant wear whatever you feel makes you comfortable, this woman in the below image is looking pretty gorgeous  as she  flaunts her baby bump in a flowing maternity fashioned gow
6 comments
Read more