In Igbo traditional society, the birth of a child signifies not only the child’s entry into the physical world but also the commencement of its social existence. Following this momentous event is a significant initiation ritual designed to sever the newborn’s lingering ties with the spiritual realm and formally integrate it into the human community. This ritual is the naming ceremony, known in Igbo as igu aha or ibanwa aha. Characterized by communal joy, celebration, and feasting, the ceremony marks the child’s official acceptance into the society and represents the first foundational step in the individual’s lifelong journey toward becoming a fully recognized member of the community, what is often referred to as a “son of the soil”. This traditional Igbo rite of passage bears a notable resemblance to the Christian sacrament of baptism. In Christianity, baptism functions as a spiritual induction into the body of Christ, conferring upon the baptized the identity of a child of God and an authentic member of the Christian faith. The parallels between these two rites have often led observers to draw direct comparisons, sometimes even equating the two. Nonetheless, despite their surface-level similarities, it remains a subject of critical inquiry whether these rituals truly embody the same meaning or serve identical purposes within their respective religious and cultural frameworks. It is on this premise that the present study undertakes a comparative and analytical examination of both initiation rites. To maintain analytical precision, this study narrows its focus within Christianity to the Catholic denomination. Accordingly, the paper seeks to explore questions such as: What are the similarities between the Igbo traditional naming ceremony and Catholic baptism? Do these rites of initiation hold equivalent significance within their respective traditions? To address these inquiries, the study employs both primary and secondary sources, utilizing an expository and critical-analytical approach to present and substantiate its arguments.
Keywords: Initiation, Naming ceremony, Baptism, Igbo traditional religion, Christendom.
