Module 3: WHAT FOR?

(Page 6) Resource sheet 1 (continued)

A NAMING CEREMONY

By ancient custom for the next seven days, there was but a single task with which Omoro would seriously occupy himself: the selection of a name for his first-born son. It would have to be a name rich with history and with promise, for the people of his tribe - the Mandinkas -- believed that a child would develop seven of the characteristics of whomever or whatever he was named for.

When the day arrived, the villagers gathered in the early morning before the hut of Omoro and Binta .... As Binta proudly held her new infant, a small patch of his first hair was shaved off, as was always done on this day, and all of the women exclaimed at how well formed the baby was. Then they quieted as the jaliba began to beat his drums .... the alimamo turned to prayer over the infant, entreating Allah to grant him long life, success in bringing credit and pride and many children to his family, to his village, to his tribe, and finally the strength and spirit to deserve and to bring honour to the name he was about to receive.

Omoro then walked out before all the assembled people of the village. Moving to his wife's side, he lifted up the infant and, as all watched, whispered three times into his son's ear the name he had chosen for him. It was the first time the name had ever been spoken as this child's name, for Omoro's people felt that each human being should be the first to know who he was.

The drum sounded again: and now Omoro whispered the name into the ear of Binta, and Binta smiled with pride and pleasure. Then Omoro whispered the name to the arafang, who stood before the villagers. 'The first child of Omoro and Binta Kinte is named Kunta!' cried Brima Cesay. As everyone knew, it was the middle name of the child's late grandfather.

One by one the arafang recited the names of the Mauretanian forefathers of whom the baby's grandfather, old Kairaba Kinte, had often told. The names, which were great and many, went back more than two hundred rains.

Out under the moon and stars, alone with his son, Omoro completed the naming ritual. Carrying little Kunta in his strong arms, he walked to the edge of the village, lifted his baby up with his face to the heavens, and said softly 'Behold - the only thing greater than yourself.'

(From "Roots" by Alex Haley. Published by Arrow Books ISBN 0099522004)