Rites and Ceremonies
Naming Ceremony (Vihedego)
This happens in the morning on the 8th day after the child is born. The family members, parents, well-wishers and neighbours come together at the father's residence for the ceremony.
First, a delegation from the father's side of the family comes to collect the baby for the ceremony which is officiated by an elderly member of the family (normally the head).
Traditionally, libation is poured by the officiant to invite ancestors or gods to the ceremony but now, the officiant prays to God to invite his presence.
Afterwards, the ritual is started. In this ritual, the officiant dips his finger into a Calabash of sugary water and drops it three times into the mouth of the child. Next, he dips his finger again into local gin or schnapps and drops it into the mouth of the child 3 times again.
He then asks for the name of the child from the father and then announces it to the gathering.
After the name has been announced, the gifts are donated to the child, beginning with the parents.
After the donations, food and drinks are served to the people. There is also drumming, singing and dancing.
However, if the children are twins, a special ceremony is held for them. Twins are referred to as Venoviwo and strings of beads known as "Axokui" are prepared and put on the twins' wrists. This is to protect them from evil spirits, illnesses and diseases.
Funeral rites
Traditionally, these rites span over a month and involve the following practices;
Amedigbe: The body, previously preserved with herbs, is buried on this day which is usually two to three days after death.
Ndinamegbe: The day after burial principal mourners are received.
Nudogbe: Day for way-keeping and happens 4-6 days after the burial.
Yofogbe: The day after wake-keeping. On this day lineage, rituals are performed. Family members of the deceased receive gifts and donations for funeral expenses.
Akontawogbe: Three days later donations are counted.
Xomefewogbe: Several days after Akontawogbe a final cost of the funeral is calculated. If donations exceed costs, donations may be returned; if costs exceed donations additional sums may be raised.
Funeral donations are a main focus of ceremonies due to the high cost of an Anlo funeral. Costs include the coffin, burial clothes, public dances, food, alcohol, and provision of accommodations for distant guests.
In modern times, a funeral normally spans over 1 weekend and happens weeks, even months after the death to allow distant-relatives to be able to travel to the funeral.
There are some rules and taboos that govern the funeral rites. These include but are not limited to;
When a person dies through other means apart from natural death (accident, drowning, suicide, etc), he or she is not buried as merit and most of the rites are not performed as this type of death is seen as very dishonourable. This, however, might vary from community to community.
When a person did not get along with the person who is dead, he or she cannot go to the funeral. This is because it is believed that the spirit of the dead will deal ruthlessly with such a lifetime foe. But some people who consider themselves highly fortified dare to go.
If a living person ever had an affair with the same woman or man as the dead, he or she cannot attend the funeral ceremony of his/her dead rival. It is believed that the dead rival's spirit will have him to contend with.