A Name An Identity

Without a name, nothing has an identity, be it a plant an animal or even an object. Different communities, different races of humanity had their own unique way of naming a new born. I think, the moment a woman knows she is expecting a bany, the second thought that comes to her mind is looking for a good name that her baby will carry all through his or her life. The first one being whether the baby growing in her womb will be a girl or a baby. Caremonies abound and that of naming is perhaps the most significant in some parts of the world.

In Sierra Leone, the child is named only after the umbilical chord that remains on a baby's belly after hirth falls off, as before that it is believed to still be attached to its mother, and not yet fir to have an identiry of its own. Friends and family are invited, a child's hair is shaved off, signifying a new beginning. Prayers are offered to God. Ancestors of the baby are offered kola nuts and rice flour. The father's female relatives play a significant role in naming a baby. A favourite aunt ischosen to name the baby, and she passes chewed kola nut and pepper into the new baby's mouth from her own, signifying a long life of bravery and courage. The baby's name is then announced and the gathered guests shower their blessings and gifts on the new entrant into their community. The rest of the day is spent in celebrating and dancing, not to forget the feasting that accompanies such an important festival.

Closer home, the Kurur Vysyas name their babies on the 11nth or the 16th day after the baby is born. It is a half day caremony, that begins with the cleansing of both the mother and the baby using Gowdhuli, or the urine from a cow. Both the parents sit with the baby while the navagraha pooja is performed. The father's sister names the baby, and a strong stone, called the 'gundappa' is placed in the cradle, signifying good health andcourage. Only after the stone is removed, the baby is placed in the cradle. In a silver plate filled with rice, the father writes his child's name using a gold ring.

Called the Christening, naming ceremonies among Syrian Christians are held in their churches. On the 28th day, the new born is dressed in white and taken to church. Here the priest removes all the baby's clothes, immerses it in warm holy water, and a sign of the cross is made over the baby. If he happens to be a firstbron, he or she will have, as part of their name, a paternal grandmother's(in the case of a girl) or grandmother's(in the case of a boy). The first name could be anything baby's parents choose, but the middle name has to belong to a grandparent. It could be variations, like Jacob-Yackov, and Mary-Mirai.

On the 12th or the 13th day after a child is born, the 'naamkaran' is performed among Gujaratis. A priest is called to draw out a horoscope of the baby, after which he will decide on the alphabets the name can begin with. These alphabets or 'Rashi' is given to the baby's 'fui' or father's sister. She decides on a name that she whispers into the baby's ear before it is announced to the world. The caremony can be a long one or a short one depending on the beliefs of the parents and the baby's grand parents. Similarly, among Marwaris, a horoscope is drawn by the family priest. He then gives the family two alphabets as options with which the name of the child can begin, and the eldest member in the family chooses an appropriate name at a havan caremony. If, by any quirk of fate the family cannot arrive on a name they all agree to, a name is chosen by the priest and is entered into the baby's horoscope, called the 'Patri Naam'. Once the parents agree on another suitable name the baby is called by that name, or the 'Bolta Naam'. The Patri Naam, though is the one that is used for all auspicious occasions, while the other name is what she is called by otherwise.

On the eleventh day, in Tamil Nadu, both the new bornand the mother are given a proper bath from head to toe, in preparation for the naming caremony. A priest performs the Puniyakavacham, which purifies every corner of the house, and paddy, with its husk on is spread out beneath the baby's cradle. The new born baby's maternal uncle writes the name with his forefinger on the paddy, and whispers it in the baby's ear. Next, the infant's parents whisper the name in his ear, and it is announced to everybody present. Depending on the number of people invited, and the financial status of the family, festivities take place, and the feasting begins. A must, though, at all Tamil naming caremonies are vadai and payasam.

Up North, the Punjabi Sikhs have their own way of naming babies. The caremony takes place in a Gurudwara, the sikh temple. Prayers and donations are offered by the family newly blessed. After reciting the Adras, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at random and the first letter of the first word on that page is what the child's name will begin with. Both girls and boys have same names, but girls have Kaur added to their names, while boys have Singh added to theirs. Khara Prasad is distributed to all present and sometimes a meal is offered, although it is not a compulsory part of the ceremony,

Interestingly, a woman, in some communities, is given the option of changing her name during her marriage. As with marriage, she is entering a new phase in her life, almost like a re-birth, and is entitled to a brand new identity, which will be hers in her matrimonial home. In her paternal home, though, she will continue to be called by the name her parents gave her. In the beginning, though this can be quite confusing, for the girl, especially, but she gets used tp it quickly, answering to both names quite confidently.