Be yin me Yaa Pigri

I have a new name! I was formally introduced to my community the day after Christmas and they named me Yaa Pigri. Yaa means Thursday-born. They geve me this name because I arrived in Ofosu on a Thursday, so I was "born to Ofosu" on Thursday. Pigri means having gone and come. They're calling me this because I am the second volunteer at Ofosu, so as the one before me has gone, I have come. Oh, and Be yin me means "My name is" in Konkomba.
So, I wasn't so sure how I felt about all these new names I've been getting here in Ghana. I happen to like my U.S. birht name very much, and I wasn't sure if compromising it was somehow compromising my identity-- sacrificing it to my Ghanaian life. But, I'm decidedly not thinking of it that way. Rather, I'll think of it as a welcome addition. I've found it's not rare for people in Ghana to adopt new names at various phases in life. My former Twi teacher and friend, who also happens to be a traditional ruler/chief, told me about three times in his life when his named had changed, one being when he was instooled as chief. However, when he goes back to his childhood home, he is still called by the name he was given at birth. So, the names are like markers of various destinations he's reached throughout life. I think that's pretty interesting. It kind of reminds me of confirmation names, or in the bible, when people changed their names after having serious encounters of God-- which, I guess, are what confirmation names are symbolic of. Anyway, the point I was tryint to make, kind of, was it seems to be a rather historical tradition. I like it.
So, we're into the new year celebration time. Christmas isn't so big here. Many people attend church conventions on or around Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus, but the day itself remains a pagan holiday in Ofosu, for the most part. The new year is celebrated far more.
I did do a little Christmas celebrating myself, though. A couple of days before Christmas I met some other volunteers in town. We made some amazing American food-- turkey, alfredo pasta. hot pockets, stuffing, and sauteed cabbage (my personal contribution). We also ate plently of candy and chocolate from our care packages. I ate until I was sick, and it felt so good.
I spent Christmas day in my village where nothing much was happening. But, I put on a new dress, made some cinnamon toast for myself and the family I stay with for breakfast, and then I roasted some groundnuts and mixed them with M&Ms and went around sharing them with people in my village. They were as interested in the M&Ms as they were in the ziploc bag I was storing them in. They'd never seen one before. It was fun.

So, all and all, not like the Christmas I've grown used to, but interesting day to say the least!

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Yaa Pigri Ama Cynthia Ann Jennifer Caul : P