Similar to the Luo, a newborn in Maasai culture isn’t given a name immediately after birth – rather there is a naming ceremony that comes between four to six months and sometimes the child can remain ‘nameless’ for as late as three years. Thus, in the interim, the child acquires a temporary name which is called the Embolet. Common names given to the child during this time include Enkoshoke-ai (my womb) and Enkutuk-ai (my mouth).

From the time of birth leading up to the naming ceremony, both mother and child seclude themselves from the clan. In this time, they are both to let their hair grow in preparation for the ceremony.

Then comes the Enkipukonoto Eaji, the naming ceremony. The word is a Maa word that translates to ‘coming out of the seclusion period’. The ceremony begins with prayer. As it normally takes place in the child’s parents’ homestead, the clan gather outside the settlement to pray to Enkai (God) for the mother and the child. Both mother and child stand at the center of the gathering. Thereafter, the clan members return into the homestead for the main ceremony to begin.

The main ceremony involves an elderly woman who will shave both the mother and child’s heads. This ritual consists of more than just a razor to scalp but also involves a healthy cow’s hide, an elder’s stool and a gourd filled with watery milk.

The father of the child chooses the child’s name after he has consulted his age group and elders of the clan. This importance of this consultation is to ensure the child receives a name that did not belong to a former thief, murderer or social misfit. Thus, in Maa culture, the name given to a newborn must not be seen to bring bad luck or association with undesired elements; it must reflect favour and blessings. This symbol of the start of new life is accompanied by a great feast of traditional food and honey beer.

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