Stories and facts

Among the Akan people, naming a child is far more than a mere formality it represents a sacred rite deeply entwined with spirituality, ancestral heritage, and cultural belonging.

This ceremony, known as Abadinto or Dzinto, takes place on the eighth day following birth traditionally before dawn based on the belief that by then the infant’s soul has firmly settled in the world, signalling the child’s arrival to stay. Until this moment, the newborn is regarded as a stranger “ohoho” caught between the spiritual realm and the physical world.

The occasion is commonly held in the family home, decorated with symbolic items such as baskets, brooms, cutlasses, and calabashes, each signifying expected roles for boys and girls. After the baby is bathed and clothed in white, a respected elder usually from the father’s side conducts the ritual.

This involves dipping a finger into cups containing water and schnapps (or palm wine), and touching the child’s tongue, accompanied by an admonition to uphold honesty "when you say water, it must be water; when you say palm wine, it must be palm wine". This act serves to instil a lifelong commitment to truthfulness and the ability to discern right from wrong.

Akan names convey profound significance. Each child is first given a day name, linked to the day of the week they were born examples include Ama for girls born on Saturday, and Kwame for boys born on the same day.

The naming ceremony often includes bestowing a family or ancestral name, connecting the infant to spiritual legacies through the father and clan heritage from the mother, underlining character and continuity of lineage. The elder formally announces the name and its meaning, inviting those present to echo it aloud, thereby embracing the child within the community.

Following the formal naming, the ceremony blossoms into a lively festivity. Libations honour ancestors, prayers invoke blessings for the child’s health and prosperity, and traditional music and foods enliven the gathering.

In time, Christian or Muslim blessings may be incorporated, reflecting Ghana’s rich religious mosaic grounded alongside its cultural heritage. Some families also choose to hold a larger outdooring ceremony weeks or months later, presenting the child to extended relations and society, complete with dancing, blessings, and official certificates, marking the child’s place within the wider community.

Discover more on naming ceremonies and associated traditions in Ghana below: