Libation Prayers

1. The words
A libation is nsaguo, from gu nsa (pour drink). Gu means to pour or let fall, and nsa here means an alcoholic drink such as schnapps or palm wine, not hand. The spoken part is a prayer, mpaebɔ. An elder, a chief's spokesperson or the head of the family pours the drink on the ground while speaking.

2. A fixed order
The speaker calls on each spirit by name and offers the drink, usually in this order:

1. God: Onyankopɔn Kwame, gye nsa nom (God, receive this drink). Kwame is a Saturday name, and God is linked with Saturday. God is also praised as Tweduampɔn, the Dependable One.
2. The Earth: Asaase Yaa, gye nsa nom. Yaa is a name for a girl born on Thursday; Fante calls the Earth Asaase Efua, a Friday name.
3. The ancestors: Nananom nsamanfoɔ, monnye nsa nom (Ancestors, receive this drink). Many libations also call on local gods or rivers, or name particular ancestors.

3. The grammar of the offer
Gye nsa nom is a serial verb chain: receive drink, drink it. God and the Earth each get a singular command, but the ancestors are many, so their verb takes the plural command mo- with the nasal. After the nasal, gy becomes nny, so the command is monnye; see sound changes after the nasal. Some printed libations and song titles write mongye, and many libations say mommegye nsa nom (come and receive this drink). See group commands. A short form gives only the name and the word nsa: Tweduampɔn Kwame, nsa! (Dependable God, here is drink!)

4. The requests
After the offering, the speaker says why the family has gathered and asks for help: Ma yɛn nkwa ne ahoɔden (Give us life and strength), Nananom, mommɔ yɛn ho ban (Ancestors, protect us). Many libations also ask that anyone who plans harm against the family should fail.

5. The style
Libation is fixed, formal speech. Names and praise names repeat, lines are balanced and often end in similar sounds, and the word nsa comes back again and again. See Appellations and Praise Names.

6. When you hear it
Libation opens naming ceremonies, marriages, funerals, festivals, the installation of chiefs and some public events. Some Christians do not take part, and some gatherings open with a Christian prayer instead.