compare Day of birth
Benin / Togo / Ghana
The system of names by day of birth crosses borders: Benin (Fon), Togo (Ewe), Ghana (Akan). Here is a comparison of the 7 days across the 3 countries.
schedule 6 min
signal_cellular_alt All levels
1
Boys
Comparison table: boys
MondayKouadjo (BJ) · Kodjo (TG) · Kojo (GH)
TuesdayKomlan (BJ) · Komla (TG) · Kobby (GH)
WednesdayKoffi (BJ) · Koku (TG) · Kweku (GH)
ThursdayYaovi (BJ) · Yao (TG) · Yaw (GH)
FridayKoffi (BJ) · Kofi (TG) · Kofi (GH)
SaturdayKouame (BJ) · Komi (TG) · Kwame (GH)
SundayKossi (BJ) · Kosi (TG) · Kwasi (GH)
2
Girls
Comparison table: girls
MondayAdjoua (BJ) · Adjowa (TG) · Adwoa (GH)
TuesdayAbla (BJ) · Abla (TG) · Abena (GH)
WednesdayAkouvi (BJ) · Akoua (TG) · Akua (GH)
ThursdayYawa (BJ) · Yawa (TG) · Yaa (GH)
FridayAfi (BJ) · Afi (TG) · Afua (GH)
SaturdayAmi (BJ) · Ami (TG) · Ama (GH)
SundayAkossi (BJ) · Akosua (TG) · Akosua (GH)
3
Origin
Why 3 languages, 1 system
The shared system comes from a common language family :
FamilyKwa languages (Niger-Congo)
MigrationsAkan, Ewe, Fon 500 years ago
System7-day calendar, mandatory first name
DiasporaSystem carried to the Caribbean and the USA
Anecdote
The former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan bore the Akan Friday name. Kofi = Friday, identical in Akan, Ewe and Fon.
Three countries, one tradition
The day-name system isone of the most beautiful cultural bonds in West Africa. Benin, Togo and Ghana share this treasure.
Nɛ a nɔ nyi ?
“What’s your name?” — lesson 3, chapter 1
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