Naming Ceremony (Iso Omo Loruko)

A naming ceremony is the event at which a new born baby is given a name, in yoruba land it is known as ”Iso Omo Loruko” .The naming ceremony is done when the child is eight days old by the yorubas. The ceremony is held in the family compound ( House of the paternal grand parents of the baby).

On the day of the ceremony the oldest family member of the family is given the responsibility of performing the ceremony. To name the baby some key materials are used to bless the baby, this include; Honey , sugar, kolanut, bitter kola,alligator pepper (atare) ,water ,palmoil, sugar, sugarcane, salt,and liquor. The honey and sugar represent sweetness meaning the baby’s life would be sweet as honey ,other elements are believed to have the power to make things happen (ase) so when it is used to pray for the baby the prayers will be answered. During the ceremony a Pastor, Priest or Alfa  depending on the religion of the child’s parents blesses the child ,Then a bowl is set on the table where the parents of the baby are seated ,anyone who wants to give the baby a name says a prayer , drops money in the bowl and says the name they wish to give the baby. A person is assigned to note down the names given to the baby .After  the official ceremony there is a lot of feasting and merry making