I was astounded at the number of shared cultural practices of ancient Egyptians, Ethiopians and Hebrews with the Akan and I had no idea that the Akan were in a sense a nomadic group that settled in Ghana. This engineer turned journalist is a treasure to the community. Please try your request again later. Zawawi (1993: 6) Suzman (1994) among others. and people I have met from my school days up to now. Ababio means "Returns". The book is currently on sale on amazon.com. Thereafter comes ones family name. Akan as a language belongs to the Kwa family of languages. The list below highlights some of the popular Akan day names and their meanings for both males and females. This book has enlightened me on the origin of the the Akan tribe, and their journey all the to west Africa. Every Akan person has a name the moment they are born. Means "fourth born child" in Akan. They are said to be stubborn. abhor the practice as anti-Christian and evil even though in the Revised Standard Version of the Christian. %PDF-1.3 no, Okoforo bo Ansah Sasraku dehye! Kofi Ayim carefully and respectfully examines the Akan culture through its several unique practices and traditions. Akan is a grandson of Seir, through Ezer (Genesis 36:27), and is also known as Jaakan (1 Chronicles 1:42). This depicts that there is an inherent element. [4][5] The Ashanti people usually give these names so that the names of close relatives be maintained in the families to show the love for their families. [4][5] Since Ashanti names are always given by the men, if a couple receives a son as their first born-baby then the son is named after the father of the husband and if the baby is a girl then she will be named after the mother of the husband. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. The word Panyin means older/elder. The Akan language is currently written in three, different dialects namely: Asante, Akuapem and Fante. His discussion of drum language and its significance at the chiefs palace and during festivals cannot be over-emphasized. In our cultural contexts we name in order. Family name. This concept means that the names are closely related to the social and cultural aspects of the Akan community. Akwamu, Fante, Akyem, Agona, Assin, Denkyira, Twifo, Wassaw, Kwawu, Some Bron speakers are found in Cote d Ivoire. The chapter on proverbs and their implications brings into focus the Akan civilization as one of the most resilient in the world. The current paper is a contribution, to linguistic anthropology and to the study of Akan and African anthroponomy, and the general theory of onomasiology by scholars like Obeng (2001), Asante, (1995), Crane (1982), Chuks-orji (1972), Suzman (1994), among others. A Abeyie Aboagye Aborah Acheampong Acquah Addai (surname) Addo (surname) Adomako Adu (surname) Afful Afriyie Agyeman Agyemang Akoto Akuffo Amankwah Amoah Amofah Ansah Appiah Asante (name) Asare B Names can thus . Dialects like the Assin, Denkyira, Twifo, Wassaw, not indicated in the map, speak the, Asante forms, the Agona is closer to Fante while Buem is closer to Akuapem. Parents who are looking for baby boy names that begin with the letters S to Z should consider the options listed below. stream There is an Akan maxim, his/her name befits his/her body. The researchers indicate to the concept of indexicality characterizing the Akan naming system (Agyekum 2006). Similar name Yeboah. The word Panyin means older/elder. It made me even prouder of my rich and beloved heritage. This must not be the end of the discussion. It is a must read not only for Akans but for other Ghanaians and Africans. individual. Kwabena Opong, editor-in-chief of Amandla, takes a critical look at the well-received book, If you are an Akan from Ghana you must know there is more to your being as an Akan than you see yourself. A baby brings a lot of joy to a family. The paper discusses the typology of, Akan names. Pages in category "Surnames of Akan origin" The following 54 pages are in this category, out of 54 total. Akan has two unfamiliar letters in the, ]. The Akans are made up of. Find the name in your left column and corresponding meanings on the right column. This book elucidates the Akan connection to ancient Egypt. [4][5], In the olden days of Ashanti it was a disgrace if an Ashanti man was not able to name any child after his father and/or mother because that was the pride of every Ashanti household. It means they are usually quick and fast in everything they do and handles things with dexterity, especially crafts. As a circumstantial name, parent who believe that certain fortune recorded in the family years ago has returned or has been repeated as a result of a birth of child may choose to name that child Ababio, A third born after a twin. These are agents of God and they protect all inhabitants of Oguaa. The popularity of Akan names is determined by their appellation. Some of them were collected, from the Asante King and Queens court in 1994 while I was collecting some, data on arbitration and verbal taboos. Here is a list of popular Akan names. Besides that, the family name that is given to the child, the day the child is born, which is actually the first name of the person in Akan tradition and culture, is very significant. This is why people are able to acquire new names, appellations and. And even more so Author Kofi Ayim spares no effort in his The Akans of Ghana to ensure that you understand the appellations that go with some Akan names and their Egyptian roots. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Kofi Ayim reminds us of the 9-Adaduanan afirihyia. Aboah means "Helper". While western names are predictable, African names are generally, not predictable, for until the child is born and under what circumstances it is, In every culture, names have cultural and social contexts that identify the, is because of criminal acts that names were shared. This study is motivated by our observation that earlier works have looked at Akan personal names either from sociolinguistics or non-linguistic perspectives; however, a critical morphological analysis of the structure of Akan honorific and title names for God has eluded researchers in linguistics. Eventually, his name became part of a location: Bene-jaakan, meaning 'sons of Jaakan' (Numbers 33:31). Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. In 1840 there was 1 Akan family living in New York. have a unified standard Akan orthography. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Ironically, as the author references Rev. Most Ghanaians have at least one name from this system, even if they also have an English or Christian name. The Akan of Ghana: Aspects of Past and Present Practices takes the reader through the ancestry of present-day Akan people - from the influence of ancient Egypt, through the ancient Empires of Western Sudan and into the forest belt of present-day Ghana. Drumming is a divine act and for that the master drummer is called the divine drummer (odomankoma kyerema) and holds a very important position at the palace. News ), Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. This is because the europeans brought pigeons to the Akan lands. The . The Ghana Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The World Readers), Akan Protocol: Remembering the Traditions of Our Ancestors, Akan Peoples: in Africa and the Diaspora - A Historical Reader, African History: Explore The Amazing Timeline of The Worlds Richest Continent - The History, Culture, Folklore, Mythology & More of Africa, We Are Akan: Our People and Our Kingdom in the Rainforest Ghana, 1807 , Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, No Import Fees Deposit & $12.24 Shipping to France. Based upon the historical context and social relevance of the Akan of Ghana this could surely serve as a support reading for an African Studies, African History or African/Black Culture or Civilizations collegiate level course. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Akan dwo or jo (Fante) is pronounced something like English Joe, but there do appear to be two sets of names for those born on Monday. It means "Ruler", Fante family name. The similarities are profound and the presentation of the fact based analysis of language and religious origins are flawless. A child's name is determined by factors surrounding their birth. Kwaku - Atobi, Daaku or Bonsam / Akua - Obirisuo, Obisi or Odaakuo All the appellations means the same word, "Evil" for Wednesday born. The study of personal names is referred to as, related to genealogy, sociology and anthropology. Until I read this book, I was not knowledgeable about some of the Akan proverbial quotes, more or less it's meanings. by-names based on their personal achievements. Notable figures with day names include Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah and former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Try again. According to the 2000, national population census, 49.1% of the Ghanaian population is Akans and about 44% of the population, The Akans occupy the greater part of the southern sector of Ghana. literally means "European Bird". Your antecedents are probably from the upper Nile Valley, specifically from Egypt or Nubia, and as your clan or abusua totem suggests you may even belong to a royal family. Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Ghana, 'Godfather of AI' quits Google to warn of the tech's dangers, Asian markets open higher as investors weigh Wall Street losses, Europe's produce at stake in Spain's water war, Australia targets Big Tobacco in crackdown on vaping, Qantas names Vanessa Hudson as first female chief executive, 200+ Asian female names and their meanings (with infographic), African music download: get the latest mp3 songs in 2021, American foods: 60+ classic American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Who are the most famous trumpet players of all time? APPELLATIONS OF HIS EXCELLENCY KOFI ANNAN ON HIS INVESTITURE AS CHANCELLOR, AUGUST 11, 2008 Mereb wo mmrane oo Busumuru, Akasanoma a kasa man ano, Serebo Sakyi a yse no so dade kdi anins!m, Anya ko afr! The Akan marriage and funeral as well as birth rites share so many things with ancient Egyptian practices. Yes, it is a Ghanaian name that is also spelt Asantewaa. Is an appellation for Kwakyewaa. A circumstantial name or a surname. The observance of widowhood follows a similar practice by Jews. Akan names come from a traditional naming system for people from countries such as Togo, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. Kofi Ayim, I believe may have unwittingly began a new phase of African history. I will advice that if you are writing a theory or thesis on the Akan tribe you better refer to this book. It is a handbook for every Akan person. ethnic group in Ghana. The female on the other hand is said to be a creator and her appellation means creation while her other appellation means Grace. An excellent book, and I encourage lovers of African traditions to get a copy. Each of the various groups also has other symbols that distinguish them from the rest. The research was deep and very original. Asante Family name for a girl. From the ethnic name of the Ashanti, a sub-ethnic group of the Akan from southern Ghana. Content created and supplied by: GlobalNewsghana (via Opera It is not only Akans that celebrate the seventh and fortieth day after death, Jews do same. a !t apenten a, na y!fr! Anytime, anywhere, across your devices. Even in fashion Akans provide the symbolisms for cloth designing and it is surprising to learn from Mr. Ayim the significance of those symbols and how they influence society. A list of the top 15, 7 serious social problems in Ghana and their solutions: be in the know, 10 of the best texting apps that can receive verification codes for free, How to control your husband: 10 ways to keep your man in check, Baby Maxin looks stunning as she rocks a stylish flared dress to support Nana Ama McBrown as she launches Onua Showtime, "Signs of economic recovery are obvious": Akufo-Addo tells workers at May Day event, Kumawood actress Spendilove slays in gold and black dress, photos of her flaunting thighs excites fans, King Promise shows love to his lookalike, hugs and interacts with him in public, video melts hearts, Yaw Dabo's drink exchanged for Fanta in an adult bar abroad as he walked among tall white men, 150+ popular Spanish male names with meanings for your baby boy. To see our price, add these items to your cart. Every Akan man or woman belongs to one of the eight supreme matriarchal families otherwise known as the abusua. They will know that their ancestors were the greatest; greatest in language, medicine, wealth and spirituality, and that it must not be thrown away but rather perpetuate that legacy into the end of time. The Asante twi version of the name is "Yaa or Yaayaa". A pigeon. The Akan baby name series on my website is the biggest compilation of Akan baby names, their meanings and appellations. There are also special names for elder and younger twins. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform. The paper looks at Akan names within the purview of, linguistics anthropology. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. Meaning is not known. During the 18th19th centuries, enslaved people in the Caribbean from the region that is modern-day Ghana were referred to as Coromantees. Apply this search to the user-submitted names, the letters in the pattern are compared to the letters in the name, search for an exact phrase by surrounding it with double quotes, this field understands simple boolean logic, force a term to be included by preceding it with a, force a term to be excluded by preceding it with a, sounds can only be searched in names that have been assigned pronunciations, syllables can only be counted in names that have been assigned pronunciations, names without pronunciations are excluded from results, the "relationship" is how the name relates to its parent name, name impressions are based on the ratings left by the behindthename.com community. It paid off: the maze of research work and depth of information he provides is invaluable. Would it be that Jewry or Judaism is essentially African? Some, absence of social contexts. They are sandwiched by the Ewes in Volta Region of Ghana (see Appendix 1, showing the map of Ghana and the Akan areas). See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. The Akans are the largest. This is exactly what, Do not sell or share my personal information. The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names - Nordic Journal of . Tuesday borns are friendly hence their appellation, which means, Friendliness. Professor Kofi Asare Opoku stresses on the scientific element in the African culture and the modification and translation of the names of the twelve months of the European not only establishes Asare Opokus study, it bears out our scientific strain of thought. There are millions of names worldwide, including charming and powerful Spanish boy names. The symbols that describe a strong Akan attachment to the idea of life after death is rooted in the Egyptian practice of burying the dead with valuables and serving food after a number of days after death. Learn more. The Asante twi version of the name is "Yaa or Yaayaa". The language is simple and unpretentious. By GlobalNewsghana (self media writer) | 2 years ago. There is a specific traditional system that is followed when the naming is being done. %(n"9O.K>^ km0U/>tGety [{"displayPrice":"$34.99","priceAmount":34.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"34","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"K9pTBkbqvOqWHQ6qYv4I8N9qGbI0I%2FPxabtBGwf5uLrSJ2kWNak00PMLRirxv6pHCh0YXcPSSyOyvjmMBWfu3Pg4IVDfSfgcs1%2F4FonsIw%2FldEh7PZpsDdCDMp4RGJrUgpTj8uKcaL2UEOWgZL0x9g%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"}]. The authenticity of dialogue and historical background of customs as told by a native of the Akan is both refreshing and culturally enriching. It is a must read not only for Akans but for other Ghanaians and Africans. The Akan comprise a cluster of peoples living in southern and central Ghana and in southeastern Ivory Coast. Same goes for the funeral and birth rites. This list may not reflect recent changes . The firstborn in a family Manu. Photo: canva.com (modified by author) Source: UGC It is significant to note too that each of the twelve months represent a period in the farming seasons as Kofi elaborates in his tabulation. It is believed that those born on this day which is a Sunday are agile in nature hence their appellation which means Agility. various dialects that are mutually intelligible. Means "born on Saturday" in Akan. In Twi it is "Ansah" Ababio Most of the names used in this paper are names of people from my hometown. Day names [ edit] Naming ceremony for twins among the Akan [ edit] There are also special names for elder and younger twins. Bible the term libation occurs 67 times, says the writer. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. This would thus dispute, the arbitrariness of names. He makes a strong case of Akan relationships with ancient Egypt comparing the totemic symbols and their significance. The paper discusses the typology of Akan names. Akans give meaning to the saying what is in a name. Every Akan name comes with its appellation that indeed may contain the history behind it [the name]. Mensah/Mansah. There has been so much work done regarding the. The appellations bring the beauty and pride in names. Abam means "Embrace or family Bond or Unity", Aban is a fante family name. Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2015. A baby boy name. [4][5] However, there are other ethnic-Ashanti family name (surnames) that are exclusively male names, while others are exclusively female names.[4][5]. I also collected some of the names from school registers and pay rolls of, teachers at the various district education offices. After reading the book, I felt obligated to share the information with the younger generations.