My birthday, Sri Lankan style

 My birthday celebration in May 2025, is one that will remain etched in my mind forever.

 One reason I love to travel is to learn new cultures and this trip has been enclycopedic, thanks to my Sri Lankan friend Damith and his wife Sharlene.

I had been a bit out of touch with Professor Damith for a couple years, then on Christmas day 2024, I got a text from him saying he was back in Sri Lanka for a while and I should come and spend time with them.

Well if you know Joan at all, you know she would never say no to such an invitation so here I am having the time of my life😊.

And it's been like that everyday but my surprise 🫢 birthday get together topped it all.

Anjani's mom. She dances at the Buddhist temple.

For not only did I meet a few of Damith's closest friends but also, was able to learn many things that we Jamaicans have in common with Sri Lankans, and how we differ culturally at birthday celebrations.

Firstly, I love how young Sri Lankans show deference to their seniors.

Kavi is my new friend/ interpreter/photographer 

Anjani is a university student and professional dancer. She also dances at her Buddhist temple during special ceremonies

Secondly, while we Jamaicans share the  birthday cake informally after some rituals, here the first thing the guest of honor does is cut a slice and feed each invitee individually.

Varsana, Kavi's dad is also a Taurean He is born on 15th May, I am the 20th.

Varsana is also my Sri Lankan knight in shining armor, for some unwanted guests, croaking lizards, invaded the party, nearly giving us women hearts attacks, but he chased them out and saved the day (night)🥰.

Next. I open my gift.

My birthday present from Damith and Sharlene. I will carry these memories forever.

Opening my gift from Anjani.

Anusha, Kavi's mom.

Incidentally, all this took place at Diyu Alpatha a nice little hotel near where Damith was born. 

My hosts ensconced me there for my special day, but more on that anon.

Link: 

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2025/05/many-fun-experiencess.html?m=0

Other memories in pics.

A cultural awakening

I have experienced many cultural events in my long life, but the ceremony in which I participated  to replace my anglicized name with an African one, was among one of the most interesting I have ever participated in.

The Chief Nene Sackitey

This was in the village of Odumase Krobo which is around 4 hours away from Accra in Ghana. 

To prepare for the ceremony we had to dress in white, but were wrapped in the traditional robe of Ghana to get our new names.

Part of the official outfit includes a straw bracelet which one must wear until it falls off then keep in a secure place.

A closeup of the straw bracelet and bead bracelet made from recycled glass I was fitted with.

Decked out in white on the way to the ceremony.

Ike and I.

We were the ones receiving African names.

L-r my granddaughter Madelyn, her mom Michele, neighbor Cheryl, friend Ike organizer Samantha, friend Daniel and myself.

Before going to the ceremony, we had to stop to see Chief.

His name is Nene Sakitey. His is an inherited title but apart from being the chief of the Krobo, he is President of the Chief Council of Ghana.

   He was educated in the USA and lived there for 25 years. 

The reason for our visit was outlined by Ike, in their local languages. The Chief then addressed us in the Krobo language before repeating his message in English.

 He advised that all in the diaspora are welcomed to Ghana but we must come with an open mind, recognizing that the cultures are different. Examples cited were that while so-called LGBTQ is ok in America it's not ok in Ghana while the opposite is true of polygamy, quickly assuring us though that he personally had only had one wife. (We never met or saw his wife as during the visit, the officials were all male).

In front of the chief is an empty chair to prevent anyone from sitting in front of him.

On the way to the naming ceremony, we had to stop to pay homage to the chief. Samantha and some minor Chiefs also gave him gifts.

The chief's interpreter carries a solid gold staff, (which no one else can touch). The interpreter speaks English, French, German plus many local languages, Beside him is the chief's valet.

A closeup of the figures on the top of the interpreter's solid gold staff.

Newly named, we posed with the Queen mothers and minor chiefs.

We took pictures in front of the chief's Palace after meeting with him. He did not follow us downstairs.

 

My new name is: tada.....

Posing with our new names

 My name is designated by the day of the week I was born, my gender, whether I am first born, second, third etc. 

Ghanaians can tell what tribe you belong to by your name.

Different tribes have different rituals though, so for example, members of the Ashanti tribe (the largest tribe) have names all beginning in AS.

Further, whereas Krobo parents can only pass down their surname to their children, it's different in the Ashanti. 

Because African names are so difficult to pronounce and remember, many Ghanaians use their surnames as first names when introducing themselves.

Lots of dancing and fun after getting our new names.

                                                                                                         The Palace.

Standing between the Linguist and a minor Chief who was my surrogate father during the ceremony.

Link;

https://youtu.be/lQ_fk59dHbQ

 

Notes.

I found that aspects of the ritual were similar to what the Accompong Maroons practice at their annual festival in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica.

 There is the libation, where liquor is poured on the ground for the ancestors and the drumming and dancing is similar.

 At our naming ceremony, the liquor used was vodka and none was drunk during the ceremony. Our Maroons use white rum and sip a lot of it each time after pouring some on the ground😁.

I learned that it is a major no-no to cross one's legs in the presence of the chief and it is generally considered disrespectful for women to do so anywhere in the Krobo village.