by Oche Matthew | May 26, 2022 | History & Culture
The Idoma naming ceremony is a ceremony performed to usher in a new baby to the world. Idoma is one of the languages in Benue State, Nigeria. It is the second majority language spoken in Benue in north-central Nigeria. Also, the second-largest ethnic group in Benue State.
In terms of culture, Idoma has a diverse range of traditions. In their traditional dress, the Idoma use two primary colours: red and black. The red represents monarchy, while the black represents the soil and burial shrouds.
The Idoma people occupy nine (9) local government areas out of the 23 local governments, the Idoma local government includes Ado, Agatu, Apa, Obi, Ohimni, Ogbadibo, Oju, Okpokwu, and Otukpo local government areas. Idoma has a very large population of about 3 million people.
The people of Idoma have a traditional ruler called Och’idoma, who handles the affairs of the Idoma people. The Idoma people are unique in terms of their culture and traditions. Therefore, I will be sharing with you the unique way in which the Idoma naming ceremony is carried out.
Idoma Naming Ceremony
A naming ceremony is a process of assigning a name to a child who has just been born. It is usually performed to welcome a new child into a family.
Idoma naming ceremony is a postnatal event that is customarily held after a child is delivered, much as it is in other cultures. It however differs from the naming ceremony in Hausaland.
The birth of a child into an Idoma family is a thing of joy as the entire family is excited most importantly, giving glory to God for the gift of life and the sound delivery of the baby. Therefore, they don’t hesitate in celebrating the baby and the mother in an event known as the naming ceremony.
However, this procedure can be influenced by the religion of the parents, traditional worshipers or Christian worshipers, and others. Furthermore, the Idoma naming ceremony is usually carried out on the seventh day of a child’s birth.
The Necessary Procedure for Naming a Child in Idoma
This process has been in existence right from the beginning. Let’s take a look at them:
Step 1: A time is set on the seventh day for the child’s birth if both parents find it convenient for them. But it’s optional, so it can be on the seventh, twelfth, or fourteenth day after the child’s birth, but originally, it is best done after seven days.
Step 2: All family members are invited from both parents, likewise well-wishers, and friends. Furthermore, the women amongst the guests usually make a certain sound as soon as the child is brought out for the naming ceremony.
Step 3: A prayer is said before the entire process begins. It’s said depending on the religious beliefs of the parents.
Step 4: Worship will be ascribed to God by an individual according to their religious beliefs.
Step 5: Both the mother and father are asked to speak, after which the naming proper begins.
Step 6: An elder or a pastor depending on their religion takes the baby and asks the people in attendance to say a collective prayer for the child – praises, and prayers are offered for the blessing of a newborn baby.
Step 7: Afterwards the name of the child is called out, which is chosen based on the agreement of the father and mother. Both parents express their love and commitment to their child, recognize the role of family and friends, and express hope for their child’s future.
Step 8: Palm oil will be brought closer to the baby, after which a drop will be put in the baby’s mouth and everyone present will taste the oil, as a sign of blessing for the baby. After that, the celebration begins, which means dancing and eating, followed by receiving gifts from well-wishers.
Step 9: Finally, everyone who took part in the naming ceremony is rubbed with white powder.
However, on that day of the naming ceremony, the child is expected to be circumcised if he is a male, and the ears of the female are pierced (optional). Oftentimes, this is done in the early hours of the day before the naming ceremony properly begins.
Essentially, the ideas for the Idoma naming ceremony are tailored to the religion of the parents. Unless the parents are deeply religious or culturally inclined, it is not surprising that some parents name their baby at the time of birth.
Perhaps, you’re unsure of what name to give to your child, check out the names below and their meanings for both masculine (males) and female (feminine).
Native Idoma Male Names and Their English Meaning
1. Ameh: A strong man/ Man of wisdom.
2. Akum: My own
3. Adole: Father of the house
4. Adokole: The man of the house
5: Abahi: Someone born with a silver spoon
Native Idoma Female Names and Their English Meaning
6. Ada: First daughter
7. Ene: Mother
8. Enayi: Mother of Children
9. Ehi: Gift
10. Enuwa: Their mother
Conclusion
The Idoma people’s mode of naming a child isn’t complicated but very easy. Also, you don’t have to gather a crowd before the naming ceremony is valid. Therefore, it’s within an affordable budget of how much it costs to raise a child in northern Nigeria.
by Editorial Staff | Apr 8, 2022 | History
The Fulani dress styles are very beautiful and well-recognized, just like the Hausa royal attires. The Fulani culture itself is a well-known diverse and rich one. The Fulani are a member of a pastoral and nomadic people of mixed African and Mediterranean ancestry with their unique Fulani dress styles. They are known to be migrants, always, mostly moving from one place to another.
The Fulani cultural attire is what is referred to as ‘Mudukare’ which is worn by the women. It is a sleeveless crop top worn with a wrapper, while the Fulani men usually put on a long sleeveless shirt, with shorts or some long trousers. The men put on a conical hat called a ‘Noppire’. The shirts the men wear have a particular pattern; the shirts have a geometric design and they are usually embroidered.
The Fulani dress styles consist of mostly cotton or sometimes they are made of leather. Both the men and women for the most part are known for their physical attractiveness. The pointed noses and long hair for the women and full hair for the men.
History of Dress Styles
Fulanis are also called ‘Peul’ in French or referred to as ‘Fulbe’. They are known to mostly practice Islam as their religion and are now scattered throughout many areas of West Africa. The Fulani mode of dressing depends on the region they come from and they are distinct from the Hausa tribe.
Some wear the typical white or black cotton material thread embroidered with red, green, and blue mostly in some parts of African countries like; Nigeria, Niger, and also Cameroon.
Whereas, in Central Guinea, the men are said to wear hats with colorful embroidery as their Fulani dress attire. Another mode of dressing comes from the Fulbe Wodabaabe; they are known for putting on long flowing embroidered robes or decorated robes which are said to be very colorful.
After listing the above, it is now a known fact that there are different regions with their different Fulani dress styles. Mostly when a child is born, the child is marked, given a tribal mark on his or her face, or, arms, or any part of their body.
Fulani Attire for Males
1. The Fulani dress attire for males consists of a sleeveless shirt with shorts that go below the knee, also known as three-quarter shorts.
2. They mostly have their hats which are multi-colored or plain, which is known as ‘Noppire’, and a stick that is usually held across their shoulders with their hands hanging over the stick.
Recently, Fulanis are associated with Hausas which are kind of overlapping the Fulani attire. It should be a known fact that Fulanis are different from Hausas and their attires differ as well.
After coming down to West Africa, the Fulanis embraced the Hausa culture but they still hold their culture and heritage in high regard.
Fulani Attire for Females
This is called the ‘Madukare’. As we are aware of how females love to adorn themselves almost everywhere, it is no different for the Fulbe ladies too.
They love to adorn their skin, the hand, arm, feet, and legs with henna, decorate their hair, and put on bangles, necklaces, and also earrings. The Fulani dress styles for females differs from the region and in West Africa; in Nigeria, the attire is a sleeveless crop top worn over a wrapper. It is embroidered with a red, blue, and green thread on white or black cotton. Though a lot of things are being modernized, some are made of blue cotton, dark blue to be precise.
Fulanis are known for their exquisite beauty, with their pointed noses and long, soft hair, both the males and females are mostly known for their long slender figures.
1. The female Fulanis decorate their hair with cowrie shells and beads.
2. Fulani women also adorn themselves with bracelets that are thick and which some may have engravings on them/
3. The female Fulani dress attire is put together with gold earrings, which are mostly twisted and referred to as ‘Dibi’
4. Also, they wear their Fulani dress attire with necklaces which are also handmade necklaces known as ‘Caaka’.
5. They usually adorn themselves with amulets known as ‘Lohol’.
6. The Fulani women love to wear beads around their waist.
Bottom line, they love jewelry and are known to always adorn their heads, hands, nose, ears, and waist. If you are to come across a Fulani lady and get the chance of marrying her, you will be one lucky man. The same goes for the females getting married to Fulani men.
Fulani Traditional Wedding Attire
The importance of a wedding is known to all. On this blissful occasion, both the bride and the groom all want to look their best by dressing and adorning themselves. The groom wears a sleeveless shirt with embroidery that differentiates him from the rest, with his shorts and his ‘Noppire’ hat. The women on the other hand wear their crop sleeveless tops which have recently been made longer to cover up the stomach.
The bride’s hair is adorned with big braids or any other known Fulani hairstyles and beads, silver coins, or cowrie shells. The bride’s hands, feet, and legs are designed with henna.
The bride wears gold bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. The bride’s waist is also adorned with beautiful beads. Also among the adornment is beautifying the bride’s forehead with beads.
The bride is expected to have a decorated calabash that is covered with a little colorful beaded bag to go along with her attire in one of the spectacular Fulani dress styles you can find.
Conclusion
Writing about the spectacular Fulani culture can absolutely fill up a lot of blank pages with new interesting facts about the beauty of the culture and the radiance that comes with it, especially the Fulani dress styles.
FAQs
What is the name of the Fulani men’s hat?
Noppire.
What is the covering of the calabash called?
Fai Fai
Are Fulanis Hausa people?
Fulanis are not Hausa people; they are a tribe with a beautiful culture. Coming down to the north and mixing up with the Hausa people led to the confusion that a Hausa person is also a Fulani person.
What do Fulbe people speak?
They speak Fulfulde.
Do Fulanis have a particular origin?
They are known to be nomads. They mostly come from the Middle East and North Africa, which they later spread all around West Africa.
