Appellations and Praise Names

Level 6

An appellation is a praise name said with or instead of a name: God is Tweduampɔn (the Dependable One), and Asante is hailed as Kotoko (the porcupine): Asante Kotoko, wo kum apem a, apem bɛba!

How It Works

1. What an appellation is
An appellation praises the one it names. Twi calls these mmrane and abodin. They are said with the name or in place of it, and many carry a short praise line after them.

2. For God

  • Ɔdomankoma: God as Creator
  • Tweduampɔn (also Twerɛduampɔn): the Dependable One, the one you can lean on
  • Ɔbɔadeɛ: the Creator
  • Brɛkyirihunuadeɛ: the One who sees everything, even what is behind

See Names for God.

3. For rulers and peoples
A king is hailed with titles and praise names, such as Otumfoɔ (the Powerful One) for the Asantehene; see royal titles. A whole people can have one: Asante is Kotoko, the porcupine, whose quills stand for its warriors: Asante Kotoko, wo kum apem a, apem bɛba! (Asante porcupine, if you kill a thousand, a thousand more will come!)

4. For everyone: day names
Each day name has its own appellation. Kwame, the name of a boy born on Saturday, is hailed as Kwame Atoapem, also written Atoapoma. Using someone's appellation is a warm, respectful way to greet them. See days of the week.

5. How they are built
Many appellations pack a phrase into one word: Otumfoɔ is tumi (power) plus -foɔ (person), and Ɔbɔadeɛ comes from bɔ adeɛ (create things). Others are whole sentences, like the Kotoko line.

6. Where you hear them
Appellations fill formal speeches, libation prayers, drum poetry, songs and praise poetry. Talking drums play them to honour chiefs. See Talking Drums.

Examples (5)

  1. Tweduampɔn, yɛde yɛn ho to wo so.

    Dependable One, we rely on you.

    Word by Word: Dependable-One, we-take our self put you on

    A prayer that addresses God by an appellation.

  2. Ɔdomankoma, wo na wobɔɔ adeɛ nyinaa.

    Creator, it is you who made everything.

    The appellation stands in place of the name.

  3. Ɔbɔadeɛ, yɛda wo ase.

    Creator, we thank you.

    Word by Word: Creator, we-lie you under

  4. Asante Kotoko, wo kum apem a, apem bɛba!

    Asante porcupine, if you kill a thousand, a thousand more will come!

    The praise line of the Asante people, also the motto of the Kumasi football club Asante Kotoko.

  5. Kwame Atoapem, akwaaba!

    Kwame Atoapem, welcome!

    Atoapem, also written Atoapoma, is the traditional appellation of Kwame, a boy born on Saturday.

Common Mistakes

  • Giving a name the wrong appellation.

    Kofi Atoapem, akwaaba!
    Kwame Atoapem, akwaaba!

    Each day name has its own appellation. Atoapem belongs to Kwame (Saturday), so it does not fit Kofi (Friday).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Appellations and Praise NamesLevel 6

Learn This First

Appellations extend respectful address.