For every tribe in Ghana and amidst the rich cultures that exist in the country, names are very significant to the people hence the reason why names are not just seen ordinarily. Among the Ewes of Ghana, names are not just given to children but some factors which include the day of a child's birth, the cultural background, circumstances surrounding the birth of a child are some of the many influences that determine what name the child will be given. Ewe names particularly have gained so much popularity and two of such these names are Kofi and Ama.
This blog dives into the origin, cultural significance and some factors that might have made these names so famous.
Relevance of Ewe names
The culture and circumstances surrounding the birth of a child most times form the basis for naming a child. For instance, a child has as part of his name the day he or she is born and this happens to be the middle name for many. In addition, the values and expectations and also beliefs of the family determine the kind of names a child can be given.
I) A family that strongly believes in the Supreme God names a child to reflect that belief. For example, the name "Mawukoenya" means only God knows. A name like this deeply speaks both about how God has been good to the family and seeing them through all obstacles that might have wanted to hinder the child's birth and also it can be a prayer into the child's life that only God knows what his destiny is.
Kofi - The day name for a boy born on Friday
Interestingly, the Akan Language kind of relates with some words of the Ewe Language. Look at the days of the week from Ewe Language and Twi compared.
- Monday - Dzoda - Ɛdwoada
- Tuesday - Blada - Ɛbenada
- Wednesday - Kuda - Wukuada
- Thursday - Yawoda - Yawoada
- Friday - Fida - Efiada
- Saturday - Memlida - Memeneda
- Sunday Kwasida - Kwasiada
In the Akan culture, a child born on Friday who is a male is called Kofi and this happens to be the same in the Ewe Language. Now people believe that the day a child is born has some characteristic behavioural patterns in the life of the individual.
Notable bearers of the name Kofi in Ghana
Kofi Annan: Former Secretary General of the United Nations
Ama - The day born name for a female born on Saturday
This name is also common to the Akans and the Ewes and this is given to a child born on Saturday who is a female.
Notable beares of the name Ama in Ghana
Ama Atta Aidoo: Ghanaian actor and poet
- Places where Kofi and Ama appears more often
Right from primary school textbooks, readers and story books, all over Ghana, two names that rarely are absent from these books are Kofi and Ama. These characters are so hard to do away with and nobody knows why but it is so much fun. From oral literature to written literature, they are everywhere.
These two sentences or clauses also happen to make them very known.
- Kofi is a boy.
- Ama is a girl.
Ewe names for twins
Twins born both males are called Atsu and Etse with Atsu being the eldest.
Twins born male and female are called Atsu and Atsupi respectively.
Twins born both females are called Eyi and Etsa with Eyi being the eldest.
Share your story
Do you know any Kofi and Ama? Let us know in the comments your story about them and let's celebrate the authentic cultural significance of these names.
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