Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) brought a vibrant piece of Ghanaian culture to campus on Nov. 3, 2025, as students, faculty, and community members gathered in Corley Auditorium for the Fante Baby Outdooring and Naming Ceremony, known in Fante as “Mfantse Dzinto.” The event was part of MSSU’s West Africa-themed semester and offered attendees an immersive experience into one of Ghana’s most cherished traditions.
The ceremony, led by Dr. Nii Adote and Faustina Abrahams, both natives of Ghana, showcased the deep cultural meaning behind the outdooring and naming ritual — a celebration that formally introduces a newborn to family, friends, and the wider community. Through storytelling, music, and symbolic acts, the presenters demonstrated how names in Fante culture often carry deep connections to the day of birth, family heritage, and special circumstances surrounding a child’s arrival.
Attendees were invited to witness and participate in elements of the ceremony, gaining firsthand understanding of the blessings and cultural values embedded in this Ghanaian tradition. The event highlighted the importance of identity, belonging, and the continuity of heritage within Fante society.
The event was well attended by students, faculty, and members of the Joplin community, all of whom expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with a cultural practice rarely seen outside Ghana.
For more information about MSSU's West Africa themed semester, click here.
