Nigeria Lesson Plan
Nigeria Lesson PlanWHAT’S IN A NAME?
"Oruko lonro ni" which means "Names affect behavior"
by Anne Hoeper
INQUIRY QUESTION:
How do Nigerian parents choose their child's name?
OBJECTIVE:
To be aware that Yoruba people believe the name a child bears can influence his/her behavior. Therefore, the names given to a child in Nigeria are chosen for their meaning.
STANDARDS:
Standard 10: The characteristics, distribution, and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaics.
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES:
Verbal/Linguistic
Intrapersonal
MATERIALS:
A book or web site with the meaning of American names
ACTIVITY: Approximately 1 class period
1. How did your parents select your name?
Were you named after someone?
(Assign this as homework before conducting this lesson.)
2. Was there a ceremony when you were named?
3. What day were you born?
4. Does your name have a special meaning or does it come from a special source?
5. Who selected your name?
6. What is the meaning of your name?
You may use the following web sites to find this information:
7. Discuss the Yoruba Naming Ceremony.
8. Visit a web site that explores a Naming Ceremony.
9. Examine some African names and there meanings.
10. Do you think that the Nigerian way of naming their child is a good way?
WEB SITES
For more detailed information on the Yoruba Naming Ceremony visit A Nigerian Yoruba Naming Ceremony in the Washington DC Area
and meanings of Nigierian names can be found at Motherland Nigeria
ASSESSMENT:
Write a short paper comparing the way Americans and Yoruba Nigerians name their children.
List similarities and differences in the naming procedures used by Americans and Nigerians.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Many Yoruba people believe names are meaningful and powerful. It is felt that the names children bear can influence their behavior. For example, if a child has the name of a thief, it will become a thief. A name can make or mar a person; therefore, naming a child is taken very seriously.
A child may also have more than one name. They may get names from their father, mother, and grandparents. They may also receive a Christian name when baptized in the church.
According to Yoruba tradition within seven to nine days after birth a baby must be named or it will die before its parent of the same sex.
Guests arrive for the special Naming Ceremony bringing gifts for the baby. Everyone gathers for the ceremony where special kinds of ritual food and objects have been placed. The ceremony begins with a hymn. Then each of the foods and objects are given to the child to taste or touch while the symbolic meaning of each is stated. Next there are prayers for the child’s well being and good character and the baby’s name is announced. The ceremony is followed with an evening of music and dance.
The following quotes denote the importance of a child’s name.
"Names are important! They have meanings"
"A Name is an edifying emblem given to a child at birth by the parents, or brought from heaven by the child, during that child’s birth. "
