OZIOYIYIRESHA (NAMING CEREMONY)

OZIOYIYIRESHA

This means child naming ceremony.

By Igarra customs, a new born baby is christened on the seventh day. The ceremony starts with prayers and the rites of naming are performed by an elderly man who is usually specially invited for that purpose. After the opening prayers, the parents of the baby hand it to the elderly man who puts very tiny quantities of water, palm oil, salt and sugar or honey into the baby's mouth in turns as he offers prayers that align with the significance of each of these ingredients in Igarra customs.

This is followed by a whispering of the baby's proposed name very silently by the parents into the ear of the elderly man who then announces it aloud to the audience after which the parents are called upon to explain the basis for their choice of the name or names. Refreshment follows before closing prayers.

Sugar or honey signifies prayer that the child may live a sweet pleasant and fulfilled life; while palm oil signifies a prayer that the child will not be harmed by whatever he will ingest in his life time, and salt signifies a prayer that the baby's life time shall be preserved full of joy and happiness. Water signifies life in abundance.