Nguenteh or Naming Ceremony
Update: This post is more than 3 years old. I forgot to post it back then.
The Imam then takes the baby and whispers her name in her ears along with the call of prayer. Then he proclaims her name loudly for the audience to know. He knew of the name because upon his arrival, my brother told him. After the baby is given a name, all the people present pray for her. Finally, we end the ceremony by giving testimony and thanks the father or mother. Usually the family of the husband thanks that of the wife and vice versa. Another important part of the tradition is to sacrifice a sheep just like it is done for Eid. Then guests received a millet porridge with yogurt milk called "Lakh" that is the traditional breakfast at naming ceremonies. After eating, people are given a gift bag with some drinks and donuts before they leave.
This was not the first time I attended a naming ceremony. I have to say that for the month of March alone, I attended three other naming ceremonies for close relatives and friends. And guess what? All the babies were girls. Talk about Women's month! However, it was the first time I have taken such an active role in the ceremony. I was also very proud when my brother and his wife decided to name the baby after my Mother. It was not such a big surprise because my brother always said he would name his daughter after our Mom. Yet it still felt great.
We spent the rest of the day eating the food and talking. At night fall, my cousins on my mother's side of the family came over so that I can accompany them to bring their gifts to the baby at my sister-in law's house. You see, when a man marries, he choose two women from his family or closed friends to be there for his wife. Those women are in charge of welcoming the wife into the family and in return the wife has to be generous to them. We call those women 'Njeunke'. When my brother got married a year ago, he chose one of our cousin on my Dad's side and one on my Mom's side. Since my cousin on my Dad's side lives abroad and could not attend the naming ceremony, it was my other cousin's duty to present the gifts. And bring gifts she did. She bought a small suitcase and filled it with baby clothes and accessories. Then she added a traditional weaved cloth and assorted sling. Finally she added a pink bath, baby pot, baby chair and such. As support, I bought gold earrings for the baby girl. In return, the family of my sister in law, particularly her mother has to give us gifts. Usually she has to give expensive fabrics to the entire family on both sides.
This event is called "Yebbi". It is very expensive because Senegalese families are large. Lots of money is also distributed during that event. It is only the family of a married woman or the woman herself that has to do it. The groom and his family are exempt. Some people do it as soon as they have their first child while others wait a little longer. The waiting is often source of conflict between the in-laws. My mother waited five years into my marriage before doing it because she had to save up lots of money. Anyway, this time, my sister in law family did not want to do the Yebbi, but still they gave my cousins and I lots of money. We did not expect it and were taken aback because, truth be told, it is not in my mother's culture to do Yebbi. It is mostly a culture of the Wolof ehtnic group. But recently, it seems like everyone is doing it. Anyway, you should have seen us panicking, trying to get my mother on the phone to figure out what we were supposed to do. In reality, we had to accept the money, add some more and give it back. Do not ask me why, but that is how we do it in Senegal. But when we gave it back, the other family refused to take it saying that it was ours to keep. Funnily enough I went home with money for my Mother, my Father, even my kids and I. It was such a funny thing to experience.
Hello hello!
Today I have decided to let y'all know about the traditions behind a naming ceremony in my country of Senegal.
Last month, my baby brother had a baby girl. I was at the hospital when she was born and let me tell you that it was emotional. But I digress. In my country, it is the tradition to wait seven days before giving the baby a name. Usually for the first born, there is a big event for this naming ceremony.
And there is a lot of protocol. First off we name the baby. Since we are Muslim, we call the Imam of the Mosque where my brother and his wife got married, to conduct the ceremony. The entire family and friends are gathered in a room. The tradition is that the Badiene ( which is the Sister of the father) holds the baby during the ceremony, a role I had to fulfill since I am the only sister. But before we can start, the baby's hair also has to be shaved. That is more a religious guideline than a tradition. Also it was my job to shave her head. I had to put water in a special bowl, and soak in millet, rice and silver. Then take some of that water and a little bit of soap to wet the baby's hair before shaving her. But since I was scared, we arranged to have her head shaved the night before the naming ceremony. We just left a tiny little bit for the ceremony so that we can show everybody that we shaved her. The shaving part is religious but all the protocol behind it (bowl and such) is purely cultural.
Today I have decided to let y'all know about the traditions behind a naming ceremony in my country of Senegal.
Last month, my baby brother had a baby girl. I was at the hospital when she was born and let me tell you that it was emotional. But I digress. In my country, it is the tradition to wait seven days before giving the baby a name. Usually for the first born, there is a big event for this naming ceremony.
And there is a lot of protocol. First off we name the baby. Since we are Muslim, we call the Imam of the Mosque where my brother and his wife got married, to conduct the ceremony. The entire family and friends are gathered in a room. The tradition is that the Badiene ( which is the Sister of the father) holds the baby during the ceremony, a role I had to fulfill since I am the only sister. But before we can start, the baby's hair also has to be shaved. That is more a religious guideline than a tradition. Also it was my job to shave her head. I had to put water in a special bowl, and soak in millet, rice and silver. Then take some of that water and a little bit of soap to wet the baby's hair before shaving her. But since I was scared, we arranged to have her head shaved the night before the naming ceremony. We just left a tiny little bit for the ceremony so that we can show everybody that we shaved her. The shaving part is religious but all the protocol behind it (bowl and such) is purely cultural.
Le mois dernier, mon petit frère et sa femme ont eu une fille. J'étais à l'hôpital quand elle est née et laissez-moi vous dire que c'était émouvant. Mais je m'égare. Dans mon pays, c'est la tradition d'attendre sept jours avant de donner un nom au bébé. Habituellement, pour le premier né, il y a un grand événement pour cette cérémonie de baptême.
Et il y a beaucoup de protocole. Tout d'abord, nous nommons le bébé. Puisque nous sommes musulmans, nous appelons l'imam de la mosquée où mon frère et sa femme se sont mariés, pour diriger la cérémonie. Toute la famille et les amis sont réunis dans une pièce. La tradition veut que la Badiene (qui est la Sœur du père) tienne le bébé lors de la cérémonie, rôle que je devais remplir puisque je suis la seule sœur. Mais avant de pouvoir commencer, les cheveux du bébé doivent également être rasés. C'est plus une ligne directrice religieuse qu'une tradition. C'était aussi mon travail de lui raser la tête. Je devais mettre de l'eau dans un bol spécial et y tremper du millet, du riz et de l'argent. Ensuite prendre un peu de cette eau et un peu de savon pour mouiller les cheveux du bébé avant de le raser. Mais comme j'avais peur, nous nous sommes arrangés pour lui faire raser la tête la veille de la cérémonie de baptême. Nous avons juste laissé un tout petit peu pour la cérémonie afin que nous puissions montrer à tout le monde que nous l'avons rasée. La partie rasage est religieuse mais tout le protocole derrière (bol et autres) est purement culturel.
The Imam then takes the baby and whispers her name in her ears along with the call of prayer. Then he proclaims her name loudly for the audience to know. He knew of the name because upon his arrival, my brother told him. After the baby is given a name, all the people present pray for her. Finally, we end the ceremony by giving testimony and thanks the father or mother. Usually the family of the husband thanks that of the wife and vice versa. Another important part of the tradition is to sacrifice a sheep just like it is done for Eid. Then guests received a millet porridge with yogurt milk called "Lakh" that is the traditional breakfast at naming ceremonies. After eating, people are given a gift bag with some drinks and donuts before they leave.
L'imam prend alors le bébé et murmure son nom dans ses oreilles avec l'appel de la prière. Puis il proclame son nom à haute voix pour que le public le sache. Il connaissait le nom parce qu'à son arrivée, mon frère le lui avait dit. Une fois que le bébé ait reçu un nom, toutes les personnes présentes prient pour elle. Enfin, nous terminons la cérémonie en témoignant et en remerciant le père ou la mère. Habituellement, la famille du mari remercie celle de la femme et vice versa. Une autre partie importante de la tradition consiste à sacrifier un mouton comme on le fait pour l'Aïd. Ensuite, les invités ont reçu une bouillie de mil avec du lait caillé ou yaourt appelée "Lakh" qui est le petit-déjeuner traditionnel lors des cérémonies de baptême. Après avoir mangé, les gens reçoivent un sac cadeau avec des boissons et des beignets avant de partir.
This was not the first time I attended a naming ceremony. I have to say that for the month of March alone, I attended three other naming ceremonies for close relatives and friends. And guess what? All the babies were girls. Talk about Women's month! However, it was the first time I have taken such an active role in the ceremony. I was also very proud when my brother and his wife decided to name the baby after my Mother. It was not such a big surprise because my brother always said he would name his daughter after our Mom. Yet it still felt great.
Ce n'était pas la première fois que j'assistais à une cérémonie de baptême. Je dois dire que pour le seul mois de mars, j'ai assisté à trois autres cérémonies de baptême de proches parents et amis. Et devinez quoi? Tous les bébés étaient des filles. Quel mois de la femme ! Cependant, c'était la première fois que je prenais un rôle aussi actif dans la cérémonie. J'étais également très fiere lorsque mon frère et sa femme ont décidé de donner au bébé le nom de ma mère. Ce n'était pas une si grande surprise parce que mon frère a toujours dit qu'il donnerait à sa fille le nom de notre mère.
Since it was not supposed to be a big event, after receiving their gift bags, people started to retire. My family and I also left to go back home since the naming ceremony was done at my sister-in law parents home. Yet, when we arrived in our own home, guests were starting to arrive. Thankfully, the in laws sent us food for breakfast and lunch. Actually the tradition dictates that the family of the people celebrating the naming ceremony have to serve food to their in laws, particularly lunch. My sister in law's mother dispatched her sisters and a griot to come bring the lunch. They brought a big cauldron of a famous dish for naming ceremony, which is rice with meat (usually beef and mutton). They also brought packs of drinks, water, a fruits basket and some chewing gum. They made speeches thanking my family particularly my mother. Before they left, my mother had to give them a certain amount of money just to show her appreciation. My own Badienes (My dad's cousins) also made some speeches to thank the guests and praise my mother. It was all so emotional and surreal.
Comme ce n'était pas censé être un grand événement, après avoir reçu leurs sacs-cadeaux, les gens ont commencé à se retirer. Ma famille et moi sommes également rentrés à la maison puisque la cérémonie de baptême a eu lieu chez les beaux-parents. Pourtant, lorsque nous sommes arrivés dans notre propre maison, les invités commençaient à arriver. Heureusement, les beaux-parents nous ont envoyé de la nourriture pour le petit-déjeuner et le déjeuner. En fait, la tradition veut que la famille des personnes célébrant la cérémonie de baptême doit servir de la nourriture à leurs beaux-parents, en particulier le déjeuner. La mère de ma belle-sœur a envoyé ses sœurs et un griot pour venir apporter le déjeuner. Ils ont apporté un grand chaudron d'un plat célèbre pour la cérémonie, qui est du riz avec de la viande (généralement du bœuf et du mouton). Ils ont également apporté des packs de boissons, de l'eau, une corbeille de fruits et du chewing-gum. Ils ont prononcé des discours remerciant ma famille, en particulier ma mère. Avant leur départ, ma mère a dû leur donner une certaine somme d'argent juste pour montrer son appréciation. Mes propres Badienes (cousines de mon père) ont également prononcé des discours pour remercier les invités et féliciter ma mère. Tout était si émouvant et surréaliste.
Me as a Badiene.
I had to have my head covered with a weaved cloth.
Comme ce n'était pas censé être un grand événement, après avoir reçu leurs sacs-cadeaux, les gens ont commencé à se retirer. Ma famille et moi sommes également rentrés à la maison puisque la cérémonie de baptême a eu lieu chez les beaux-parents. Pourtant, lorsque nous sommes arrivés dans notre propre maison, les invités commençaient à arriver. Heureusement, les beaux-parents nous ont envoyé de la nourriture pour le petit-déjeuner et le déjeuner. En fait, la tradition veut que la famille des personnes célébrant la cérémonie de baptême doit servir de la nourriture à leurs beaux-parents, en particulier le déjeuner. La mère de ma belle-sœur a envoyé ses sœurs et un griot pour venir apporter le déjeuner. Ils ont apporté un grand chaudron d'un plat célèbre pour la cérémonie, qui est du riz avec de la viande (généralement du bœuf et du mouton). Ils ont également apporté des packs de boissons, de l'eau, une corbeille de fruits et du chewing-gum. Ils ont prononcé des discours remerciant ma famille, en particulier ma mère. Avant leur départ, ma mère a dû leur donner une certaine somme d'argent juste pour montrer son appréciation. Mes propres Badienes (cousines de mon père) ont également prononcé des discours pour remercier les invités et féliciter ma mère. Tout était si émouvant et surréaliste.
The lunch the In Laws served us
Cebu Ngenteh or Rice of the Naming Ceremony
We spent the rest of the day eating the food and talking. At night fall, my cousins on my mother's side of the family came over so that I can accompany them to bring their gifts to the baby at my sister-in law's house. You see, when a man marries, he choose two women from his family or closed friends to be there for his wife. Those women are in charge of welcoming the wife into the family and in return the wife has to be generous to them. We call those women 'Njeunke'. When my brother got married a year ago, he chose one of our cousin on my Dad's side and one on my Mom's side. Since my cousin on my Dad's side lives abroad and could not attend the naming ceremony, it was my other cousin's duty to present the gifts. And bring gifts she did. She bought a small suitcase and filled it with baby clothes and accessories. Then she added a traditional weaved cloth and assorted sling. Finally she added a pink bath, baby pot, baby chair and such. As support, I bought gold earrings for the baby girl. In return, the family of my sister in law, particularly her mother has to give us gifts. Usually she has to give expensive fabrics to the entire family on both sides.
Nous avons passé le reste de la journée à manger et à parler. A la tombée de la nuit, mes cousines du côté maternel sont venues pour que je puisse les accompagner pour apporter leurs cadeaux au bébé chez ma belle-sœur. Vous voyez, quand un homme se marie, il choisit deux femmes de sa famille ou de ses amies proches pour être là pour sa femme. Ces femmes sont chargées d'accueillir la femme dans la famille et en retour, la femme doit être généreuse envers elles. Nous appelons ces femmes « Njeunke ». Quand mon frère s'est marié il y a un an, il a choisi une de nos cousines du côté de mon père et une du côté de ma mère. Étant donné que ma cousine du côté de mon père vit à l'étranger et n'a pas pu assister à la cérémonie de baptême, il était du devoir de mon autre cousine de présenter les cadeaux. Elle a acheté une petite valise et l'a remplie de vêtements et d'accessoires pour bébé. Puis elle a ajouté un tissu tissé traditionnel et un porte-bébé assortie. Enfin, elle a ajouté une baignoire rose, un pot pour bébé, une chaise bébé et autres. En guise de soutien, j'ai acheté des boucles d'oreilles en or pour la petite fille. En retour, la famille de ma belle-sœur, en particulier sa mère, doit nous offrir des cadeaux. Habituellement, elle doit donner des tissus coûteux à toute la famille des deux côtés.
My cousins showing the gifts they brought.
This event is called "Yebbi". It is very expensive because Senegalese families are large. Lots of money is also distributed during that event. It is only the family of a married woman or the woman herself that has to do it. The groom and his family are exempt. Some people do it as soon as they have their first child while others wait a little longer. The waiting is often source of conflict between the in-laws. My mother waited five years into my marriage before doing it because she had to save up lots of money. Anyway, this time, my sister in law family did not want to do the Yebbi, but still they gave my cousins and I lots of money. We did not expect it and were taken aback because, truth be told, it is not in my mother's culture to do Yebbi. It is mostly a culture of the Wolof ehtnic group. But recently, it seems like everyone is doing it. Anyway, you should have seen us panicking, trying to get my mother on the phone to figure out what we were supposed to do. In reality, we had to accept the money, add some more and give it back. Do not ask me why, but that is how we do it in Senegal. But when we gave it back, the other family refused to take it saying that it was ours to keep. Funnily enough I went home with money for my Mother, my Father, even my kids and I. It was such a funny thing to experience.
Cet événement s'appelle "Yebbi". C'est très cher car les familles sénégalaises sont nombreuses. Beaucoup d'argent est également distribué lors de cet événement. C'est seulement la famille d'une femme mariée ou la femme elle-même qui doit le faire. Le marié et sa famille sont exonérés. Certaines personnes le font dès qu'elles ont leur premier enfant tandis que d'autres attendent un peu plus longtemps. L'attente est souvent source de conflits entre familles. Ma mère a attendu cinq ans après mon mariage avant de le faire parce qu'elle devait économiser beaucoup d'argent. Quoi qu'il en soit, cette fois, la famille de ma belle-sœur n'a pas voulu faire le Yebbi, mais ils ont quand même donné beaucoup d'argent à mes cousines et à moi. Nous ne nous y attendions pas du tout. A vrai dire, ce n'est pas dans la culture de ma mère et celle de la belle-famille de faire du Yebbi. C'est surtout une culture du groupe ethnique wolof. Mais récemment, il semble que tout le monde le fait. Quoi qu'il en soit, vous auriez dû nous voir paniquer, essayer d'appeler ma mère au téléphone pour comprendre ce que nous étions censés faire. En réalité, nous avons dû accepter l'argent, en ajouter un peu plus et le rendre. Ne me demandez pas pourquoi, mais c'est comme ça qu'on fait au Sénégal. Mais quand nous l'avons rendu, l'autre famille a refusé de le prendre en disant que c'était à nous de le garder. Curieusement, je suis rentré à la maison avec de l'argent pour ma mère, mon père, même mes enfants et moi. C'était tellement drôle à vivre.
On and all, the day was wonderful, I dressed up, I got to fulfill my role of Badiene, I ate a lot of food and enjoy the company of people I love. In the past, I would have never attended such events, finding them too traditional and nerve racking. But now, the more I attend, the more I enjoy them. I guess it is because of the people who invite me, for they are people I love and truly enjoy. But also, maybe I am coming out of my shell more. Whatever that is, I am liking it.
More importantly, I have a niece. I always wanted to have a daughter and GOD finally granted me one. She is barely a month old but I love her so. I wish I could spend all my time with her. I already started drawing clothes and accessories I plan on making for her. GOD is great. He always shows me that however limited I think my heart is, it always has room for more. And now that heart of mine has room for my third child. May she keep on blessing us with her presence and get to know us and love us all. Amen!
Hat - HLM Market
Jewelry - Sandaga Market
Eyelet dress - Tailored Made
Scarf - Thrifted
On and all, the day was wonderful, I dressed up, I got to fulfill my role of Badiene, I ate a lot of food and enjoy the company of people I love. In the past, I would have never attended such events, finding them too traditional and nerve racking. But now, the more I attend, the more I enjoy them. I guess it is because of the people who invite me, for they are people I love and truly enjoy. But also, maybe I am coming out of my shell more. Whatever that is, I am liking it.
More importantly, I have a niece. I always wanted to have a daughter and GOD finally granted me one. She is barely a month old but I love her so. I wish I could spend all my time with her. I already started drawing clothes and accessories I plan on making for her. GOD is great. He always shows me that however limited I think my heart is, it always has room for more. And now that heart of mine has room for my third child. May she keep on blessing us with her presence and get to know us and love us all. Amen!
Bref, la journée a été magnifique, je me suis bien habillée, j'ai pu remplir mon rôle de Badiene, j'ai beaucoup mangé et j'ai apprécié la compagnie des gens que j'aime. Dans le passé, je n'aurais jamais assisté à de tels événements, les trouvant trop traditionnels et énervants. Mais maintenant, plus j'y assiste, plus je les apprécie. Je suppose que c'est à cause des gens qui m'invitent, car ce sont des gens que j'aime et que j'apprécie vraiment. Mais aussi, peut-être que je sors davantage de ma coquille. Quoiqu'il en soit, j'aime ça.
Plus important encore, j'ai une nièce. J'ai toujours voulu avoir une fille et DIEU m'en a finalement accordé une. Elle a à peine un mois mais je l'aime tellement. J'aimerais pouvoir passer tout mon temps avec elle. J'ai déjà commencé à dessiner des vêtements et des accessoires que je prévois de confectionner pour elle. Dieu est grand. Il me montre toujours que même si je pense que mon cœur est limité, il a toujours de la place pour plus. Et maintenant, mon cœur a de la place pour mon troisième enfant. Puisse-t-elle continuer à nous bénir de sa présence et apprendre à nous connaître et à nous aimer tous. Amen!
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