The naming of a baby

Here in Muslim culture you wait seven days after the birth of a child before it is given a name. The Imam does the naming ceremony at the baptism in front of all the family and friends. Goats are sacrificed during the ceremony and later eaten for the feast. It is a whole day affair.

Today was Bakary’s day! (Not that he really opened his eyes that often, he preferred to sleep through most of it!). Bakary is the new son of my boss, who is a very proud and happy father.

We arrived to a house full of people. All the elder women were in the living room with the mother and the baby. They were sitting on the floor with dates, kola nuts and candies all around for the passing guests. They were clapping their hands and singing. I got to hold a tiny sleeping bundle and wish benedictions to the mother.

After greeting the elders and the mother Boris and I went off to our separate areas. He sat under a tent with the men, talking, drinking tea and playing cards. I went to the areas with the women and helped with the cooking. Well actually they gave me easy tasks, which I was grateful for, once I saw the quantity of rice the women were stirring in the huge caldrons. Here you have to be very strong to cook!

Once the meal of riz gras(rice cooked in a sauce), saga sogo (sheep meat) and salad was ready, huge bowls were filled up with food and brought out to all the men. One bowl serves about 5-7 people that sit around it eating with their right hand. Once the men had all been served the women made bowls for the women and gave them according to age (elders first, youngest last).

All in all the day was beautiful and the food was good. I hope that Bakary enjoyed himself too.