The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NAMING PROCESS

IN SAUDI ARABIA, SEVEN DAYS AFTER A CHILD IS BORN, A HUGE
PARTY IS SCHEDULED. ALL RELATIVES INCLUDING THE
SMALLEST CHILDREN ARE INVITED. KIDS ARE GIVEN SUGAR
CANDY AND EVERYONE IS GIVEN A CANDLE. ALL IS QUIET, AND
THE OLDEST RELATIVE RINGS A MORTAR AND PISTOL (PESTLE?)
THREE TIMES AND SAYS "IN THE NAME OF GOD I NAME HIM (THE
BABY)......" THEN HE GOES OUTSIDE AND SHOUTS THE NAME
TO EVERYONE. THIS IS HOW THEIR CHILDREN ARE BAPTISED
WITH THEIR NAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-22-1971