As part of her first trip to Africa, the Pan African Writers Association’s Vice President (Diaspora), Ms Reyna Jones was recently given the African name of Yaa Adobea by the King of the Eku-na Nsona Royal Family of Iture Elmina near the coastal city of Cape Coast in Ghana.
According to Reyna, ” I was named Yaa because I was born on a Thursday while Adobea means beauty, grace and resilience”.
The traditional naming ceremony which is specially designed for visiting African diasporians has been in existence in Ghana since 2020.
The ceremony usually kicks off with a discourse between the participants and officials before the pouring of libation.
At the naming ceremony, the partakers receive a cup of water and alcohol each, which symbolically represents peace and passion. They were then given their names and presented with a certificate.
After the ceremony, the participants were marked with white clay to signify their victorious return. They also had neem leafs placed on their necks, symbolizing good health and luck.
For many Diasporians, the naming ceremony conveys a sense of belonging.
The ceremony which is usually done after a visit to the slave dungeon, brings balance and a tilt toward the positive.
Jones, a writer and poet from Georgia, US and her team had earlier been received at an elaborate reception at the PAWA House in Accra on Sunday August 23 2026, the first day of the team’s 8- day African tour.
PAWA’s Diaspora region which is made up of Writers of African Origin was recently inaugurated as the Association’s sixth region in addition to the already existing five regions of East, West, North, South and Central African regions.
The region is meant to fully integrate writers of African Origin all over the world into the mainstream of African Literature and Culture.
