AMA

Ama is a term with multiple uses in different cultures and languages. It can refer to a traditional Japanese group of divers, a given name used in several regions, and occasionally a surname or place name.

Ama, in Japanese, is written with the characters meaning sea and woman (海女). Ama divers are traditional free-divers who harvest shellfish, pearls, and other sea products from the coastal waters without the use of breathing apparatus. The practice has a long history in Japan, particularly along the Pacific coast, and is noted for its distinctive, enduring technique and culture. In modern times, many ama communities have faced demographic and economic changes, with some members continuing the tradition as a cultural practice and others moving to different livelihoods.

As a given name, Ama appears in multiple cultures. In West Africa, especially among the Akan people, Ama is a female given name and is used in Ghana and nearby regions. The name is also found outside West Africa in various communities, where it may be used as a first name or, less commonly, as a surname. Notable individuals with the name include Ama Ata Aidoo, a Ghanaian author and playwright, and Ama Abebrese, a Ghanaian actress.

Beyond personal names, Ama can appear as a place name or as part of other cultural references in different languages. The diverse uses of Ama reflect its role across cultures as a link to identity, tradition, and geography.