face Girls’ names
Dossi: a twin girl’s name
Dossi is the traditional name given to a first twin girl in Fon culture. The female counterpart of Dossou, it carries the sacredness of twins (Hohovi).
schedule 5 min
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1
Meaning
Origin of the name
Dossi is a mandatory ritual name:
DoYounger / next
SiFeminine form
MeaningFirst twin girl
Male counterpartDossou
VariantsDosi, Dosie
Dossi
First-born girl of a twin pregnancy
2
Worship
Hohovi: the cult of twins
HohoviSpirit of the twins
Ʋnamɛ̌Twin (in the spiritual sense)
StatuettesBocio, carved if one dies
Double mealAlways serve 2 portions
SacredTwin girls are divine messengers
3
In practice
Giving this name today
MandatoryIf twin girls: Dossi + Yossi (younger)
FamilyOften followed by a second French name
DiasporaCarried internationally
CelebritiesBeninese models and singers
Tradition
In Benin, it is said that refusing to give the ritual name to twin girls can bring misfortune. Respecting the name guarantees the blessing of the Hohovi.
The sacredness of the name
Dossi is not an ordinary first name: it is a ritual status. Every first twin girl has borne it for centuries.
Nɛ a nɔ nyi ?
“What’s your name?” — lesson 3, chapter 1
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