BIRTH

Introduction

• It is the 1st stage of life; the whole community is involved including the ancestors.
•  Having children is considered so important that a barren woman is despised and made an outcast.
• From the time of pregnancy, there is rejoicing in the community.  The expectant mother is accorded a lot of respect and is given special treatment including;
  1. Eating special food and avoiding some i.e. eggs and fatty meat which may make the baby too big hence creating complications during delivery.
  2. Refraining from heavy tasks e.g. splitting firewood, carrying heavy loads.
  3. Refraining from sexual intercourse because pregnancy is believed to make the woman ritually unclean.
  4. Avoiding handling iron tools in the house for fear that such tools may cause injury.
  5. Not speaking to her husband directly but can only do so through an intermediary.
  6. Returning to her home to give birth there and coming back after weaning her baby.
  7. The mother carries protective charms to protect her from people with evil eyes and bad omen such as sorcerers.
  8. The midwives assist the woman in delivery and the sex of the baby is announced i.e. 4 ululations for a boy and 3 for a girl.

Rituals observed after childbirth 

Introduction

• The child belonged to the community.
• The birth of the baby is witnessed by the elderly women who act as midwives.
• Men are not allowed to go near the delivery place.
• When the baby arrives, its sex is announced by shouts/ululations.

The rituals observed during childbirth are:

i. The placenta and the umbilical cord are disposed off ceremoniously. i.e.

1. Thrown into a running stream/river
2. Dried up and kept for rituals performed later
3. Carefully buried near the homestead or in uncultivated field/ shamba with bananas/cereals.
4. Hung in the house to symbolize the continuity of life.

It should be noted that these ceremonies are observed so that the womb may remain fertile / to ensure continuity of life.

1. A purification/cleansing ritual is done on the mother and the child by a medicine man/diviner to prepare the mother for the birth of the next child including ritualistic washing.
2. Protective rites, performed by the local medicine person.  They are meant to protect the child from evils i.e. magic, malicious spirits, sorcery, witchcraft and evil eyes.
3. The baby is committed to God for protection and to bring good fortune. An object is tied round the neck, waist, or wrist as a physical sign of the ceremony.
4. Thanksgiving ceremony performed to show gratitude to God for the safe arrival of the baby.
5. Prayers offered for continued blessings for both the mother and child
6. The baby’s hair is shaved after sometime as a sign of purification and newness.  When new hair grows it will signify a new phase of life for the baby.
7. Mother’s hair was also shaved to show that she has cast off that pregnancy. New hair symbolizes new life.
8. In some communities the mother and the baby are secluded from the rest of the community, so as to give the mother time to rest.
9. The whole community celebrates this rite of passage by rejoicing, singing, dancing and bringing gifts to the mother and the child.

The importance of rituals performed during a naming ceremony in Traditional Africa Communities

1. Bathing of the child sets in the beginning of a new life.
2. Shaving of the mother and baby’s hair symbolizes a new status.
3. Choosing of an appropriate name to give to the baby is for identification/ incorporation into the wider community.
4.  Feeding of the baby symolizes a new life/ growth.
5. Holding of the baby by members of the community shows concern for it/ shared responsibility.
6. Saying prayers/ words of blessings for the mother and baby signifies long life.
7. Slaughtering of an animal signifies thanksgiving.
8. Feasting is a sign of of joy/ socialism/ welcoming the baby.
9. Giving presents to the baby and mother is a sign of goodwill.
10. Wearing of charms signifies protection to the baby and the mother.

CRE NOTES AND SYLLABUS​