Ghanaian baby names are frequently given after the day of the week the baby was born and the order in which the baby was born. Forebears knows about 60,657 unique surnames in Ghana and there are 445 people per name. All rights reserved. Lists of links to thousands of names from Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Congo, Djibouti, Eastern Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya . Some foreigners are known to have been buried in Ga-styled coffins.[13]. Some have and continue to receive negative comments and criticism for their stagecraft. These include purification ceremonies. The fishing community of Bukom on the outskirts of Accra, is considered as the mecca of boxing in Ghana and has produced several notable boxers. The day naming system is a very old tradition used by the Akan people and even by other west African countries such as Benin and Togo. Also, in the Eastern Region and Volta Region of Ghana, about 15% of lands belong to the Dangme People. The Ga ethnic group is divided into settlements which are further divided into quarters which Ga people call akutso (singular) and akutsei (plural) [[2]]. They often symbolise the dead people's professions, the purpose being to help them continue with their earthly profession in the afterlife. All rights reserved. Lineage members generally return to the traditional lineage home from the Huza farms several times a year to participate in the festivals of their lineage gods. The Ga-Dangbe music includes drumming and dancing. B Danquah created his myth linking the Akan to the ancient Ghana empire. King Jerry. This 'traditional' salad is eaten on its own or by the side of jollof . Pick a name that reflects how your baby signifies hope and new beginnings in your life. play videoChief Priest of Osu Nadu/ Klottey, Wor-Lumor Nuumo Noi Sekanku Kpenuku II. When Im not writing, I am snuggled somewhere reading with a large cup of tea or tending to my latest obsession, my plants. In addition to music, the Ga-Dangbe people are known for their long history and successes in the sport of boxing. English is the official language of Ghana and is universally used in schools in addition to nine other local languages. Your email address will not be published. What day of the week were you born? (Dawhenya royal family name: Darpoh), Under their great leader King Ayi Kushi (Cush) (1483-1519) they were led from the east in several states before reaching their destination in Accra. Names like Ayi, Ayitey, Okaile and Ayikaile are associated with the family name Ankrah. AKWELEY AND AKUOKOR. Music of the Ga-Dangbe people also include [Klama], [Kpatsa] and the Dipo dance all of the Krobo people. 35. 2. Photo: @moneyandstamp. Below are some common Ga names and their origins and evolution over time. Morowa Pronounced: Mo-ro-wah Meaning: Queen Best For: Female 4. Originally this wasnt a name belonging to the family. Frequently, children are given a "day name" which corresponds to the day in the week when they were born. Short and adorable nicknames for your little one or close ones named Hannah. Kwadwo (mae) Adwoa (female) corresponds to the day on which KWA created the firmament. These are aligned to the ethnic Ga as well: Lomotey, Tetteh, Ankrah, Tetteyfio, Laryea, Ayitey, Okai, Bortey, Quaye, Quaynor, Ashong, Kotei, Sowah, Odoi, Ablor, Adjetey, Dodoo, Darku and Quartey. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It is the home of many famous boxing "clubs" and gymnasiums. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. English is the official language of Ghana. In addition, it is not unusual to put another name before the weekday name: This then describes the situation in which a child was born. Most of the figural coffins are used for funerals, only a few are exported for international art exhibitions. It is of Akan origin and undoubtedly one of the most popular Ghanaian surnames, as 1 in 112 people bear the name. Government of Ghana. You'll love these names if you adore the classy, bygone era. This system of names have spread to some other West African countries. It is a prevalent name in all tribes in Ghana. Joseph Oscar Mettle, the only Gospel Artist to have won the prestigious VGMAs overall Artiste of the Year, has become a household name when it comes to Gospel music in Ghana. This is due to the Ghanaian day names tradition, one of the many ceremonies and customs that take place in Ghana. Most of the Ghanaian Female names listed above are often paired with these surnames. Content created and supplied by: AdroitNaa (via Opera .. Connecting you to Africa through telling stories of her culture, history and heritage. Many Ghanaian names are from African origin and Akan names, and other from other ethnic groups. Click to reveal Chale: Friend (Ga term) Chalewotey . This was an early and innovative form of capitalism where an elaborate system of property ownership was established and subsequently shared. These names can be derived from circumstances surrounding the birth of a child, the parents faith, pronouncements made about the child, and many other reasons. There are many ethnic groups in Ghana, West Africa. (See Naming customs of the Dagomba people.). 34. . The area is centered at approximately 2 W. longitude and 5 N. latitude. The Akan, culturally and linguistically related tribes in West Africa, do the same as other African and Jamaican ethnic groups: Name their children after the respective day they were born. If you had the chance to meet a few Ghanaians, you may have noticed that they have more than one name. They mainly live in the Greater Accra region. Furthermore, the Akan have names for the order in which children are born. I hope you have enjoyed and learnt something new.. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a823e34963b6ce73133e328cc8611677" );document.getElementById("bf227d4ff4").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 2010. Sharanda Jones: Her Sad Story, Imprisonment, Release, Where is She Today? The following are some of them. Yaa One who is born on Thursday Ejo A girl born on Monday. Name your baby after an African God or Goddess and wish them prosperity and wisdom for life. So whenever you hear any girl with the name Ayokor it means she is the second baby girl of her parents. Dangme occupations are fishing, trading and farming which is based on the Huza system. Most Ghanaians have at least one name from this system, even if they also have an Arabic or western name. The coffins can be anything wanted by relatives of the deceased from a pencil to an elephant. The following are names derived from the ethnic Dangme and common among the Ningos Nartey, Tetteh, Kwei, Kweinor, Kwetey, Narteh, Narh, Dugbatey, Teye, Martey, Addo, Siaw, Saki, Amanor, Djangba. 3. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Ghana Baby Names & Meaning Names Gender Numerology Audio Save Name Comment Aba Ababuo Abam Abba Abeeku Abeeku Abena Abla Addae Addae Adeben Adika Adika Adjoa Adofo Adom Adowa Adusa Adwoa Afafa Afi Afia Afryea Afua Agyei The following two tabs change content below. The Akan kanguage has some beautiful names with meanings. Kwaku (mae) Akua (female) According to the book of Genesis, was the day on which the heavenly hots (sun, moon and stars) appeared. Ankrah,2016, https://blakkpepper.com/2016/12/a-look-at-the-ga-mantse-gbese-stool-family-lines/, [6] Ghanaweb,2021, https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/tribes/ga_names.php, John Evans Atta Mills High Street, Accra, Ghana | @Accra_Archive, What You Didn't Know About Ga Names And Their Sabla, https://blakkpepper.com/2016/12/a-look-at-the-ga-mantse-gbese-stool-family-lines/, https://www.naaoyooquartey.com/ganyobinaa/2013/09/what-you-didnt-know-about-ga-names-and.html, https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/tribes/ga_names.php. Aside the fact that day names are a simple means for commonality, they are easy conversation starters and icebreakers. This is why families do everything they can to ensure that a dead person is sympathetic towards them as early as possible. Kpakpa/ Kwate Hebrew - Wished for child; Sea of bitterness; To Swell; A variant form of Marilyn; As Mary; Hebrew - Sea of Bitternes; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; To swell; A variant form of Mary, From the Irish word 'treasach', meaning fighter, higher, more powerful or superior. After Atswei comes Ayokor. ^ "Ghana - 2010 Population and Housing Census" (PDF). Therefore, names like Ama, Amate, Amakai, Amatei, Amalai, Amakwei, Amalei, Boi, Laryea are male names and Amele, Ahine, Amokor, Amateokor, Amakai, Amatekai, Amatso, Amatetso are female names associated with the Ama/ Amarh family name [[4]]. It is not unusual for a single coffin to cost $600. The Akan is the biggest ethnic community representing 47.5% of Ghana's population. A first born can be recognized by the first name Piesie . Adedainkpo in Accra is an old Ga community dating back to before the 1800s. Yen.com.gh recently reported about the Ga-adangbe tribe which is also known as Ga-Dangme, GaDangme, Ga-Adampa, Ga-Adangme or Ga-Danmel. Find the complete details of Akwele name on BabyNamesCube, the most trusted source for baby name meaning, numerology, origins, similar names and more! Top 100 ghana girl Names in 2020-2021 - Best collection of unique, cute and modern most popular top 100 ghana girl Names with meaning and etymology. The following are the names in. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ga-Adangbe_people&oldid=1137991226, Articles using infobox ethnic group with image parameters, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Warren Gamaliel Kpakpo Akwei, also known as, John William Hansen, a singer, a composer, an arranger, a saxophonist, and a pioneer of highlife music. It includes places like Labadi , Osu , Teshie, Nungua, Korle Gonno, Chorkor etc. Is one of the sweetest female day names in Ghana. [4] It is also believed that by the 17th century they traveled down the River Niger and crossed the Volta to reach present day Ghana. [12] For example, a taxicab driver is most likely to be buried in a coffin shaped as a car. Only people with the appropriate status are allowed to be buried in these types of coffins. History also plays a part in this. Prices of coffins can vary depending on what is being ordered. Most Ghanaians define the beauty of a woman to be a woman who is well brought up, cultured, we. The tribe in Namibia Who Swap Their Wives And Offers Sex To Guests. Ga- names are used more often as masculine names. Yacub Addy, Obo Addy, and Mustapha Tettey Addy are Ga drummers who have achieved international fame. Among the Ga tribes one or two of the following are given to children, viz. However, unlike some other ethnic groups where babies are named mainly after their days of birth, the Ga child is born into some of their names. Let harmony flow in your little one's life with these names. The Akan supreme being, Onyame, has many other names. Similarly, only the heads of the families concerned are permitted to be buried in coffins such as these. They believe that death is not the end and that life continues in the next world in the same way it did on earth. However, the major tribes in Ghana are Akan and Ewe which form about 60% of the population. Menu. That Nii or Naa in our names is a reverence given to the elderly because our names emanate from our Great Great Grandfathers. Here is a list of the names: Nyankomago - The second child after twins . Kwabena (male) Abena (female) The day on which land was made to appear. Lamisi, Gyakie, Cina Soul, Freda Rhymz and Amaarae. Vote for Your Favourite Ghanaian Women 1 Akosua Busia (Actress) 9 4 Birthdate: December 30, 1966 Sun Sign: Capricorn Birthplace: Ghana 2 Jackie Appiah (Actress) 8 4 Birthdate: December 5, 1983 Sun Sign: Sagittarius Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada 3 Yaa Asantewaa (Queens Mother) 98 11 Birthdate: 1840 AD Birthplace: Besease There are six significant settlements from which a Ga child could be born into. These girl names were at the apex of their popularity in 2006 (ADOPTION OF 0.71%) and are now much less common (ADOPTION 0.35%, DOWN 50.7%), with names such as Gabriela becoming somewhat outmoded.Gama (TOP 6%) and Garr (6%) are popular Ga- last names. The pioneers of these artistic coffins were master craftsmen, such as Ataa Oko (1919-2012) from La, and Seth Kane Kwei (1925-1992) from Teshie. Just like any tribe here in Ghana has some perculiar name they give to their newly born babies so as the Gas. Finding the right name for baby should be a stress-free experience, and choosing by origin is often a great way to eliminate . Ethnic Ga family names (surnames) include Nikoi, Amon, Kotey, Kotie, Adei, Kutorkor, Oblitey, Lartey, Nortey, Aryee, Poku and Lamptey. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This name means King, Prince, and fearless leader or Warrior. Mzansi QUIZ: 10 Questions every South African must be able to answer, Meet the naked tribes of Nigeria where people wear leaves and little to nothing. MomJunction provides content for informational purposes only. Slaves from the Gold Coast taken to the Caribbean during the 18th and 19th centuries were referred to as Coromantees: an English-language term for enslaved people from the Akan ethnic group from the Gold Coast region in modern-day Ghana. These names are also used among Ghanaians living abroad and among Africans living in the diaspora who wish to identify with their ancestral homeland. It means noble or honorable. It goes on and on and on. Over time, the Akan have defined seven names per gender, each referring to a day of the week. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7c0c4ba7ed6846d3 See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. Surname Prominent name personalities: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan ("Kofi" = male for "born on a Friday") Ghana's First President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah ("Kwame" = male for "born on a Saturday") Writer Ama Ata Aidoo ("Ama" = female name for "born on Saturday" and "Ata" shows that she is a twin) Like this: Loading. In 2015, he was nominated at the prestigious Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. The Dangbe people from Odumase - Krobo also Celebrate the [Ngmayem] festival, An Annual Harvest festival to Celebrate the bounty harvest of their farmers is celebrated by the Krobo people throughout the last week (Seven days) of October with a visit to their famous Ancestral home, the Krobo Mountains [Kloyom] on the last Friday of October with a climax on the Saturday with a grand Durbar of Chiefs and People of the Krobo Traditional Area. The Amu Dako names are of the Otublohum quarter of Ga Mashie. Cina Soul Cina Soul was born Christie Quincyna Quarcoopome and enjoys a healthy repute as the next queen of soul. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Every second female child is Ayokor. Death of Husband If a child is born soon after the husbands death the child does not take on the serial name and will be given a special name These are mainly in the Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo Districts of the Eastern Region. Writing for me is more than just a profession or a means to an end. Yaaba One who is born on Thursday Akuba This festival originated several centuries ago. The tradition goes back to the Akan tribe: to name their children by the day of their birth. So whenever you hear any girl with the name Ayokor it means she is the second baby girl of her parents. Ansan /Akmfm. Oral traditions state the Ga came from the region of Lake Chad and reached their destination in the 16th century. Heres your need-to-know guide. In addition, they are each adorned with custom-made glass beads, colorful loincloths, and various forms of woven headgear. They consist of Ga-Mashie and Gaspeaker, who migrated from Akwapim, Anecho in Togo, Akwamu. Chale: Friend (Ga term). By AdroitNaa (self media writer) | 2 years ago. It takes place in August every year and is celebrated by all the Ga clans. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. titled Adukwei. Fofo is the name given to every fifth female child .