Baby Naming

Sunday the Hausa team went to a Baby Naming ceremony. We arrived too late for the food…but in enough time to visit with the family. It was a great time. The first stop was at “Fatiis” (Fah-tees) house. They got all dressed up in their “fete” (party) clothes and posed for a quick picture and then we where off to the house of the new baby.

Here they wait eight days to name the new child. (They see if it will live or not. So, they wait to get attached.) This compound is full of laughter and fun. We’ve been just once before and that is when they invited us to the party. The group was excited to see us. The men were gathered under a tent in the street and the women were seated outside the compound gate away from the men. Very normal.

We visited outside for a while and then when into the sauna-like room. It was incredibly hot in this small windowless room. The smallest baby ever was laid out on the bed with a Hausa knife pointed at her head, laid very close to her head. I’m sure it is something to keep the evil spirits away. She was a twin, but her brother didn’t make it.

They handed the small baby to me to hold and then demanded we pose for pictures.

We took the time to pray for the baby. (Yes, my eyes are open and palms out, this is seen as a more respectful way to pray in the culture here.)

Then I went to play with the other little children. A good time was had by all!

Pictures provided by William Haun. www.haunsinafrica.com