In another part of Africa, a baby is born. Nobody is allowed to see the child. Only after some time has passed is the baby brought out into public view and ceremonially given a name.

Birth and Child-Naming Ceremonies

Many customs associated with childbirth are appropriate. However, in places where birth is viewed as a passing over from the realm of the ancestor spirits to that of the human community, true Christians must exercise care. In some parts of Africa, for example, a newborn child is kept indoors and is not given a name until a period of time has passed. While the waiting period may vary according to locality, it ends with a child-naming ceremony, in which the child is brought outdoors and is formally presented to relatives and friends. At that time, the child’s name is officially announced to those present.

Explaining the significance of this custom, the book Ghana​—Understanding the People and Their Culture states: “During the first seven days of its life, a baby is considered to be on a ‘visit’ and undergoing a transition from the world of spirits to earthly life. . . . The baby is normally kept indoors and people outside the family are not allowed to see it.”

Why is there a waiting period before the child is ceremonially named? The book Ghana in Retrospect explains: “Before the eighth day, the child is not supposed to be human. He is more or less associated with the other world from which he has come.” The book continues: “Since it is the name that, as it were, humanizes a child, when a couple fear that their child will die they will usually defer naming him until they are sure he will live. . . . Therefore this rite of passage, sometimes called outdooring of the child, is thought to be of tremendous consequences for the child and his parents. It is the ceremony that ushers the child into the company or world of human beings.”

A senior relative of the family usually officiates during such a child-naming ceremony. Aspects of the occasion vary from place to place, but the ceremony often includes the pouring of a libation, prayers offered to the ancestral spirits expressing appreciation for the child’s safe arrival, and other rituals.

The highlight of the ceremony comes when the name of the child is announced. Although the parents are responsible for the naming of their own child, other relatives often have a strong influence on the name chosen. Some names may carry a symbolic meaning in the local language, such as “gone and returned,” “Mother has come a second time,” or “Father has come again.” Other names contain meanings designed to discourage the ancestors from taking the newborn child back into the world of the dead.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with rejoicing over the birth of a child. Naming a child after someone else and giving a name that reflects the circumstances associated with its birth are acceptable customs, and deciding when to give a child its name is a personal decision. However, Christians who want to please God are careful to avoid any customs or ceremonies that give the impression that they are in agreement with the view that the newborn child is a “visitor” passing from the spirit world of the ancestors to the world of the living community.

In addition, while many in the community view the naming ceremony as an important rite of passage, Christians should be sensitive to the consciences of others and consider the impression that is given to unbelievers. What might some conclude, for example, if a Christian family kept their newborn child from the view of others until a naming ceremony was performed? What would be the impression if names that contradicted their claim to be teachers of Bible truth were used?

Hence, when deciding how and when to name their children, Christians strive to “do all things for God’s glory” so as not to become a cause for stumbling. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33) They do not ‘set aside the commandment of God in order to retain traditions’ that are ultimately designed to honor the dead. On the contrary, they give honor and glory to the living God, Jehovah.​—Mark 7:9, 13.