The Igbos of south east are one of the three major tribes in Nigeria . They comprises of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo state.
There are also claims that some minority groups in Nigeria like, “Delta, Cross river, Rivers and Akwa Ibom” are also part of Igbo tribe.
The naming ceremony of a child is known as “igu nwa’aha” or “ikuputanwa” in Igbo. This marks the formal presentation of the child to his people, which comprises of the kinsmen, family, friends, well-wishers and the entire community.
The child naming ceremony in Igbo land occurs between 7 to 12 days after a child is born depending on the culture of the community. For Enugu of south east, the naming ceremony is usually 8 day after a child is born.
The calendar of the indigenous Igbos is different from the English calendar. Four market days in Igbo which include; “Nkwo, Eke, Orie and Afor” make up a week in Igbo calendar. This means that a child is named after two to three Igbo weeks.
When a child is born in Igbo land, he or she is welcomed into the world with amazing songs. In some places like Nsukka, in Enugu State, as soon as the news of a safe delivery of a baby is announced, the people around will start singing joyous songs. And then go into the house and rub a white powder (known as “Nzu” in Igbo), on their necks or face as a mark of welcome, purity of heart, and goodwill for the new child.
Moreover, it’s believed that it is the responsibility of the paternal grand-parents to officiate a child's naming ceremony in Igbo land. While the child is brought out by the paternal grandmother, who hands him/her to the child’s father. In some parts of Igbo the father carries the child with one hand and carries palm wine with the other.
The ceremony begins with the usual breaking of kola-nuts and prayer, which involves the pouring of wine libation to the gods. After this, the child is then given a name by the father. Others are equally allowed to give a name to the child.
Igb names are usually significant and always have great meaning attached to it for instance;
”Chukwubuikem“ means God is my strength.
“Chukwuebuka” means God is great.
“Chinenyenwa” means God gives child.
Additionally, according to an oral source who wished to be anonymous, People plant life tree-in some parts of Igbo during naming ceremony in the olden days, and it represents the life and survival of the child.
I doubt if the naming ceremony tradition is still very much obtainable in most Igbo societies now as it was in the olden days. The last I witnessed was more of a family thing not ceremonial as they invite only family members. This could be as a result of some factors which Christianity is one of.
Lately, families in Igbo societies no longer do the naming ceremony as most parents now give their babies name even when they’re still in the womb.
More recently, the most significant event after child birth is child dedication (which usually comes 3 months after child birth), and few days after the infant baptism in the church. This is because most Igbos of south east are Christians.
Christianity and civilization has made child naming an unceremonious activity in Igbo land lately, Although we still have people who appreciate and practice these traditions.
