What’s in a Name? Expensive Gifts!

JEDDAH, 7 January 2006 — Being invited to a baby-naming ceremony can be expensive. Not only are you supposed to offer up some suggestions, but also you can be expected to show up with gifts, such as a sheep, money, baubles, or all of the above. In one case, reported in Al-Watan yesterday, 40 members of an extended Saudi family traveled 180 kilometers for a baby-naming ceremony. All were laden with gifts to offer the little tot. In recent years, some people have simply stopped paying money at these events in order to reduce the expense of being honored with the privilege of suggesting names for a baby.