I went to a naming ceremony at Awa's compound today because they always name the baby on the eigth day. First some of the baby's hair is cut off and oats and kola nuts are put in a bowl with water. Then there are prayers and blessings. Everyone is named after someone already in the family. One of the guys asked if we wanted to see a slaughter. So I went back and watched them kill the goat. Then he asked me to help him so I stood there and held the goat's legs apart while he skinned and de-organed. They found out that I was never officially named so I had a mini ceremony. They cut a piece of my pony tail off and said the prayers and now I am 'Umi Njie.' Awa let us try sour milk, which is actually a delicious yogurt type thing, and a dish that is rice and groundnuts pound together and then cooked together for a very long time.
After the ceremony I had drums lessons on the beach with Lamin. My drum is great. He carved a giraffe onto my drum and edged it in dark black goat hair.
My drum!
The baby with Kelly before the naming ceremony.
The other pictures are way too graphic and would make some of you hate me if I posted them.
Beautiful.
I'm helping!
Cutting my hair for my naming ceremony.
The mom of the baby.
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