Birthing Cermonies Of Other Cultures Essay Research

Birthing Cermonies Of Other Cultures Essay, Research Paper

Birthing Cermonies of Other Cultures

The birthing ceremonies of the Indian culture has a lot of

different aspects then the American culture does. I guess that is why they are

different cultures. All cultures have different views on different things such

as religion, but they also share the same as well for example every culture has

some form of the family. This is what helps most cultures understand other

cultures. In the Indian culture their view of bringing a child into the world

is much different then the American culture’s view.

In the Indian culture there are a lot of preparations that go

into getting the parents and the community ready for the new member. Their

culture does more work with the child before they are even born. First of all

plans are made for them so they know who is going to be there to witness the

child being born into their society. They are usually the grandparents, the

representatives, and the Godparents that were selected by the parents and the

representatives. The mother is to keep on working as she did before the baby is

born. They say that this shows the child the importance of work in their culture.

During the pregnancy, around the seventh month, the mother introduces the baby

to the natural world. She does this by taking walks in the fields and over the

hills. They believe that the baby is consciously taking all of this in to

prepare him/her for life within that culture.

When the baby is born none of the mothers children should be

around. The only people there are the ones that were chosen by the

representatives and the parents. If someone can not make it then someone will

have to fill in for them. The only people besides children who are not allowed

to see are the single women. The only way that they can attend is if there is

no one else to go. There has to be three couples at the birth of the child, the

child doesn’t just belong to the parents but to the community as well. It is

considered to be a scandal if an Indian women goes to a hospital to have a baby.

For the mothers other children there are not to know where or

how the baby is born. Only the three couples know where the child is born. The

children are told that a baby has arrived and they can not see their mother for

eight days. After the baby is born the placenta has to be burned at a certain

time. If the baby was born at night then it is burned at eight in the morning

and if the baby is born in the afternoon then it will be burned at five in the

afternoon. It is usually burnt on a log and the ashes are just left there. They

will not bury it because they believe that the Earth is the mother and father to

all children, and the Earth must not have it abused by burying it in the ground.

During the pregnancy, seeing how the mother has no time to relax,

they take these steam baths. In an adobe hut there is a stove, called a

temascal , which is were the placenta can be burned also, which produces steam

that is supposed to calm the women down. This stove is made of stone. The

stones are heated up and then the door is shut and then cold water is poured on

the rocks and this makes steam. This is said to prevent the mother from having

a miscarriage. A lot of times they add Herb’s and leaves to the bath which

helps them relax as well as supply them with nutrients. The mother usually

takes this after work so that she can sleep and get up and do it all over again

tomorrow.

The purity of the child is protected after birth for eight days.

The newborn baby is alone with its mother for these eight days. None of the

other children can see the child for this time frame. The mothers only visitors

are the people who bring her food. This time frame is the baby integration into

the family.

When the child is born they kill a sheep and there is a little

fiesta just for the family. The neighbors start coming to visit and bring gifts.

the gifts they bring are usually food for the mother, or something for the baby.

The mother has to taste all of the food that is brought to her, that is to show

her appreciation for their kindness.

After the eight days are over the family counts up how many

visitors the mother had, and how many presents were received. The normal gifts

are eggs, clothing, small animals, wood for the fire, and services like carrying

water and chopping wood. If a lot of the community calls or visits, this shows

how the child will grow up and have a lot of responsibility. After the eight

days another animal is killed to show that the child’s right to be alone with

his mother is over. All of the clothes and sheets that she used during the

birth are taken to the river to be washed, no matter how far away it is.

After the baby is born they are given a small bag with a little

garlic, lime, salt, and tobacco. This is to ward off all of the evil spirits.

When the child reaches forty days old there are speeches and promises on his

behalf, this is his baptism. At around ten years old the parents and the

leaders talk to them again. They tell them that they must never abuse their

dignity. They also remind them about the ancestors who were dishonored by the

white man. They also make sure they remind them to respect their elders, and

also pregnant women.

There is a difference in ceremonies for the two different

genders. For instance when a girl is born there aren’t nearly as many

celebrations as there are for a boy. They say this is because of all the hard

work and responsibilities he will have as an adult. The girls ears are pierced

at the same time they cut the umbilical cord. Also the male child is given an

extra day with his mother. All of this doesn’t mean girls aren’t valued their

work is hard to and there are certain things due to them as a mother. They

place gender roles kind of like we used to with the women staying home and

taking care of the kids and the man earning a living for his family.

Our culture has many different characteristics then the Indian