Seven Stages of Life
In ancestral Akan language and culture, a human being lives to be called seven names throughout their lifetime, from the womb to the tomb, which is as follows.
The water-fetching bird.
The water fetching bird. These are newly born. Physically, they are not matured so they can only feed on fluids, hence the name asukonoma, a water fetching bird.
Those that mix with nature, creation.
The child at this stage in life is to be part of their environment. Learning about the environment they live in. learning about the plants, the animals they can touch and the ones they cannot touch or play with. From here comes the term elementary school, you go to school to learn about your environment. Mixing and playing in their natural environment also helps the child build immunity with the environment.
Abofra. Bo is nature or creation.Fra means to mix. Abofra, one that mixes with nature.
The water-fetching bird.
At this stage in life, the child is physically fit and is able to go on errands. That is mostly their responsibility, going on errands, all other needs are dependent on their parents.
It is at this stage a child's gender becomes apparent. A girl will be called akatesiya, a boy will be called abrantie.
A teen aged girl. Kata means to cover, siye is to dress up. This is the stage in life where you begin to cover yourself up and also present yourself neatly, because your body is maturing. You also dress and present yourself neatly.
A teenage boy. Abrante, translates as, one that does not adhere to law. Bra (law) ntie (does not adhere). Certainly this is when they are coming into their own and will adhere to advice. At this stage in life whether a boy or a girl, their minds are maturing and coming into their own personalities and often will not adhere to law or norm, so strict care has to be taken at this stage in life. This is where a person can be made or lost.
Opaani simply means workers. This is where adults, both men and women in the community, work together in different sectors, all to advance the course of the people. A thriving society is dependent on healthy workers. This is also true in the animal kingdom. In a bee colony the workers are the most numerous and most important, where they all work together to serve the colony.
Those that fortify the home.
Those that fortify the four walls. Abansere means a fortified building. The keepers of all the four corners of the home. At this stage in life, they are old and experienced. They have garnered knowledge and experience throughout their lives. This is when they use all their knowledge, experience to guide and steer the coming generation. They fortify the home with their knowledge, wealth and experience. Abanserewa.
The last stage. This is where you become part of Nananom, honored elders where you will be called Nana. If you are a woman, you are abrewa. If you are a man, you are akukura.
The old woman, the aged one, the tired one. You have physically aged but also with a wealth of life experience and knowledge, just like akukura, you are active from behind the scenes.
The reserved old man, here you take a back seat role. You remove yourself from the limelight into the back seat role. Kura means to hide, to cater. You hide from the limelight, you play the executive role from behind the scenes. At this very last stage or name, you will be given the honorary title, Nana.
After having been called these seven names, the person after death has a black stool placed in the family prayer room or shrine. You will also become part of Nananom Nsamanfo, (distinguished elders who have moved on) where prayers can be offered to. They can also be called upon on time of need.
