An interesting thing about Ghana is the use of day names. The Akan tribe, which populates about 75% of Ghana, uses the day names when a child is born. They are not actually given their birth name until 8 days after their birth. It is more common here to be called by your day name than by your birth name. For instance, by day name is Yaa, and my family's last name is Oduro, so I am known as Yaa Oduro.
Day male/female
Monday-Edwoada Kwadwo/Adwoa
Tuesday-Ebenada Kwabena/Abena
Wednesday-Wukuada Kwaku/Akua
Thursday-Yawoada Yaw/Yaa
Friday-Efiada Kofi/Afia
Saturday-Memeneda Kwame/Ama
Sunday-Kwasiada Kwasi/Akosua
Kofi Annan is from Ghana, so Kofi is not his actual given name, but his day name. When people here ask my name and I give them my day name, they get extremely excited.
The names are often further divided depending on your birth placement, etc.
Anyway, I've been a bit under the weather for the past few days. I'm pretty sure that I've contracted giardia. Not much fun. It's a parasite that lives in your stomach, causing a plethora of unpleasant things. It is transmitted through fecally-contaminated food. I guess I should stop eating so much shit. Haha, no, I think that's what happens when you live with so many children. Unfortunately, most people here only "wash" their hands with water- soap is hardly used.
I gave a presentation on Saturday about children's games and rhymes. I actually took some video of my children performing the songs, but I have not been able to load them online yet. I will try to do that soon. This next week will be pretty exciting. On Wednesday, our headmaster and teaching-counterpart will be arriving for a 2 day workshop. After the workshop, they will take us for a site visit! I will spend about a week in Kpandai to tour the school I will teach at and to see my house. I am very excited. It's amazing how quickly training is wrapping up.
I think I'll be able to write more during site visit. It will be nice for things to slow down for a few days. Until then.... nante yie.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Megan, Hope your very long journey to Kpandai goes smoothly. How do these people keep the names straight is beyond me ,although it's a neat custom. I love you, Mom
I do like the name custom.
So if I was born on a Wednesday, I would be known as Akua Doenene. Good golly that is a mouthful.
I hope you are feeling better soon and stop eating all that crap, would ya!
Love the photos keep it up.
Take Care,
Akua Doenene
Think of you often Miss Adventure Girl! Missed you at our wedding but am so proud of your heart to make a difference in this world. You are a brave woman and I pray for you often... Love, Becky
hey check this out
http://apps.facebook.com/my_ghanaian_name tells you your local Ghanaian name!!
Post a Comment