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Ewe weavers were captured as prisoners of war
and whilst being held in captivity, taught the
Ashanti how to weave. The Ashanti legend holds
that they
 learned
it from a spider. Kete might be a contaminated
word for the Ashanti. 'Ke' in Ewe means 'to
open' and 'te' means 'to press'. The Ewe holds
that the word 'Kete' thus describes the weaving
motion of the feet.
Names (Ŋkɔwo)
The Ewe (Eʋeawo)
have names (Ŋkɔwo)
with significant meanings which either portrays
the spirituality of the parents or the
circumstances in which the child was born.
Generally, most of the names are unisex.
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For
example:
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Akpenε |
Thank thee
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Dzigbɔɖi
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Patience
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Eɖem
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He saved me
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Elinam |
He is with me
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Fafa |
Peace
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Gameli |
There is time for everything
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Makafui (Kafui) |
I will Praise him
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Mawuli |
God exists
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Etɔnam
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He has answered my call/prayers |
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Eyram |
He has blessed me
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Selɔm
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God loves me
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Mawuena |
God giving
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Mawuko |
Except God (Only God)
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Mawusi |
In God's hands
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Agbenyega |
Life is great (If you have life you have
everything)
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Senanu
|
It is God who gives |
Additionally the Ewe uses a system of giving the
first name of a child as the day of the week
that the child was born. This arises from a
belief that the real name of a child can only be
determined after the child has shown its
character. However, as a child is a person, not
an object, the child must be referred to by some
name in the interim, so a name is provided based
on the day of birth. A final name is given at a
naming ceremony, seven days after the date of
birth. This shows close similarity with the Akan
people most likely the Akwamu. atsimevu
or 'grandfather' drum, largest of the group.
Lyrical songs are more prevalent in the southern
region. In the north, flutes and drums generally
take the place of the singer's voice. |
