Adwoa
| Pronunciation | [adʑᶣoa] |
|---|---|
| Gender | Female |
| Language(s) | Akan languages |
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Akan |
| Derivation | dwo 'peace' |
| Meaning | born on a Monday; |
| Region of origin | Akan people |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | Adjoa, Adjua, Adjuba, Juba |
| Related names | |
Adwoa is a given name used for women born on Monday in Western Africa, particularly Ghana and some parts of Togo, southern Benin and Ivory Coast.[1] Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. It is actually practiced by all Akan (i.e. all the various Akan subgroups) people who follow traditional customs.[2] People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Adwoa has the appellation Badwo or Akoto meaning peace.[3] Thus, females named Adwoa are supposed to be peaceful.[3][4]
Origin and meaning of Adwoa
[edit]In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Adwoa is originated from Koyayuda and from the Lord of Life Firmament deity of the day Monday.[4][3] Females born on Monday are known to be calm, peacemakers and protectors. They tend to be nurturing and achieve a balance between strength and compassion.[4][2][3]
Female variants of Adwoa
[edit]Day names in Ghana have varying spellings. This is so because of the various Akan subgroups. Each Akan subgroup has a similar or different spelling for the day name to other Akan subgroups.[3][5] Adwoa is spelt Adwoa by the Akuapem, Akwamu, Akyem, Bono and Ashanti subgroups while the Fante subgroup spell it as Adjoa, Ajua, or Ajuba.[3][6]
Male version of Adwoa
[edit]In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females. The variant of the name used for a male child born on Monday Kwadwo.[2][5]
Notable women named Adwoa
[edit]Most Ghanaian children have their cultural names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are:
- Adwoa Aboah (born 1992), British model and activist
- Adjoa Andoh (born 1963), British actress
- Adwoa Smart (born 1971), Ghanaian actress
- Adjoa Bayor (born 1979), Ghanaian footballer
- Adwoa Yamoah (born 1986), Canadian cheerleader
References
[edit]- ^ "20000-NAMES.COM: Weekday Names, page 1 of 1--meaning, origin, etymology".
- ^ a b c "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Akan Day Names and Their Embedded Ancient Symbolism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ a b c Konadu, Kwasi (2012). "The Calendrical Factor in Akan History". International Journal of African Historical Studies. 45: 217–246.
- ^ a b Kamunya, Mercy (2018-10-19). "Akan names and their meanings". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ "The sociolinguistic of Akan personal names". Researchgate. p. 214.
External links
[edit]- Adjua page from Traces of the Trade site
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