The Baby Naming Ceremony!

Patrick--one of our boys from the village had a baby sister born 2 weeks ago. 

I kept asking him her name and he kept saying she didn't have one.  Then last week

we were invited to her "Baby Naming Ceremony". Apparently this is how every 

baby is named here.  So last Sunday night we went to the wonderful event. 

Everyone was arriving around 6pm.  It was dark outside 
and the lights were dim but we still tried to capture the evening.
Patrick and Kofi took my camera for the evening!

As folks are gathering we are greeted by each one.  The floor
you see here is the area between the 2-3 houses that make up one side
of the village houses.  This area has a roof over it and so the whole party was outside.

There was a blanket type rug on the floor for all the kids.

They also kept gathering. 

Patrick's step-mom finally comes out with the baby.
Everyone is excited!

Gramma or "KaKa" admiring her new little sweetheart.

Mama's name is Angel.  She looked
so beautiful...

 The first thing that happened was that drinks were given
all around.  In Rwanda, when you receive a bottle of pop
or water, it will always be given to you with the bottle cap on.
Once it is in your presence someone will come and open it.
I'm not sure if this is a trust issue, a matter of making sure
no one has tampered with it or what but it happens everywhere....
at home, at church, in a resturant or anywhere.
So Patrick's father served each of us.  

 I love this picture of Angel and ????
It is so sweet how she is looking at her mommy.

We were all waiting for what would happen next,
I think Bruce is looking for the perfect name-
on his phone.

All the guests are just waiting.. drinking pop... 

Note all the bottle caps on the table. 

 The man who is serving as the emcee comes out
and starts the official ceremony.  I never did get
his name but know that he is a friend of the family.
He spoke in both Kinyarwanda and English.

He asked Kofi to open in prayer and he
said a long and sincere prayer in Kinyarwanda.
He told me later he prayed for blessings on the family,
for Patrick and for the baby.  

After Kofi's prayer... the breaking of bread.. in this case....
banana bread was the first course.

Again, father did the honors.  Angel and I split a piece.

 The kids are all enjoying the cake, too.

Patrick took this sweet picture of his little sister 

Then the kids lined up!  

 Each one came and laid their hands on the baby,,,,

And announced the special.....

 name they

liked for the baby.

Patrick announced his name for his little sister.

And then Kofi, too!

 After all the kids, Gramma... took the baby and started
her around the circle to each of the adults. 

Angel's mom so proud of
her daughter and her new little
grandbaby.


 

 And Angel so thrilled about her little one.
The first name given, comes from a close
family friend:  "Clariese"

 

Then they handed her to me.  I thought from
the first time i saw her that she looked
like a "Miriam".

 

Bruce had a beautiful Kinyarwanda name.. I need to ask
him what it is... I'll add it later. 

Then each person around the circle
gave their special names!

And she slept through all the cuddles.

Every face lit up with a smile as they took 
the baby in their arms.

Love this picture!

 And around she goes!

Until she got back to...

Gramma!

And then to Mommy----while we wait for
Daddy to pick the name.

The names being written down...

 And this girl was the recorder!

 The excitement now is mounting..  The kids are waiting and the adults are waiting..  for Father to come out and announce the baby's name. 

Waiting....

Still waiting...

Patrick was taking more pictures, but i wanted one with
him and his sister so i took the camera for a minute.

Is she really looking at the camera??  

 She is!  Patrick already loves her so much.

I don't know if Kofi or 

Patrick was taking these pictures....

FINALLY, FATHER COMES OUT TO ANNOUNCE THE NAME!
BUT HE SAYS.... "THERE ARE SO MANY NAMES I WON'T
BE ABLE TO DECIDE UNTIL TOMORROW!"

WHAT... OH NO! 

CAN WE WAIT THAT LONG?

ARE YOU KIDDING?

Oh no... we've been here waiting and 
now no name?  

The emcee is explaining that we will just have to wait.
Father will call us all the next day!

Guess I was surprised, too!   We really have 
to wait til tomororw??  But wait... 

Drum roll... Here comes Father again....to announce her name.....
She is...and will always be...

Catoni Chloé

Father wrote her name out so we could see it.  

It was a little dark so we had trouble reading her name.
Patrick was helping us.
So, apparently mom and dad had a special name 
picked out before this night.. but just in case someone's 
name jumped out at them.. they kept their options open.
None of the names on this night changed their minds!  

The party ended with the family friend (in the white shirt)  announcing that Bruce and I 

were now the official new members in the family.  Once we were told what he was saying we said markoze (thank you) and 

then I blew them all kisses..and they all cracked up. 

Patrick caught this picture right at the tail end of the whole little scenario..

The whole ceremony lasted only a little over an hour but what a great opportunity

to have this experience with Patrick and his family.

On the way home Bruce said... 

"They really have great traditions here"

and he is so right.  

And we were so thrilled to be a part of this one!  

love,

margie