In a text by Eréndira Sánchez Cruz, an oral tradition from the mid-twentieth century was revealed about what childbirth was like in the Cañada area of Oaxaca
Figure of a woman giving birth, from 200 B.C. – 500 A.D. Chupícuaro Culture, Guanajuato (PH๏τo: Fb/Cultura Indígena)In a text by Eréndira Sánchez Cruz, an oral tradition from the mid-twentieth century was revealed about what childbirth was like in the area of Cañada, in Oaxaca. The document details a series of tips, concoctions and steps to follow during pregnancy, in childbirth and after it.
Oral traditions can range from proverbs, tales, songs to legends, myths, prayers, and more. They serve to transmit knowledge, values and keep cultures alive, in addition, some of them are used by entire communities.
The writer and painter Damián Pérez González in the book Las huellas de la culebra. History, myth and rituality in the founding process of Santiago Xanica, Oaxaca, expressed that oral tradition was present in the foundation of many communities in southern Oaxaca.
Oral tradition of a mid-twentieth century birth (PH๏τo: INAH Media Library)In the first part of the oral tradition of childbirth, the woman was advised to eat certain foods in the morning, such as corn atole and aguamiel, both non-alcoholic and traditional beverages of Mexico, the second is extracted from the maguey.
“Woman, during your pregnancy you have to drink water, honey in the mornings and a lot of white corn atole. That will help your health, your strength and your breasts will be filled with good milk…”
Likewise, the pregnant woman was recommended to take walks and bathe twice a day, as well as take a temazcal with herbs to have a delivery without complications.
“You will bathe twice a day after your walks so that the baby does not stick, if the baby sticks you will go to the midwife to rub you, you will take temazcal with good herbs so that your body prepares a delivery of water and not blood.”
Oral tradition of a mid-twentieth century birth (PH๏τo: INAH Media Library)In another of the verses ofthe oral tradition, the use of girdles is mentioned, so that the pregnant woman does not have discomfort, the text highlighted that they should be red and used during the day.
“You shall wear your girdle and red girdles well, these shall be made of cotton, and on them you shall embroider the eyes of God, so that you may walk and do your duties without any trouble.”
A natural remedy that is mentioned for foot pain and to improve blood circulation and kidney performance, was a kind of tea with muicle, a Mexican medicinal plant used in pre-Hispanic times; lemongrᴀss, an herb that grows in America, Asia and Africa; and Chile.
“When you feel that your feet are tired, you will take your muicle, lemon grᴀss and chili so that your blood runs nice and your kidneys rest…”
For the moments before and during childbirth, tradition recommended drinking H๏τ chocolate with epazote, not lying on your back to avoid risks. The text mentioned that it is best to kneel so that the baby is born quickly, easily and safely.
“Woman, when the pains come and your water has broken, there is no midwife nearby, drink your bitter H๏τ chocolate, with epazote. Never go to bed to give birth because you can drown in childbirth (…) Be insected and your own body when you feel that you are on your knees will help you, so your baby will come out easier with everything and placenta… If you are a first-timer, hold on to a tree to give birth in a sitting way (…) Do not fear, women are designed to give birth.”
Oral tradition of a mid-twentieth century birth (PH๏τo: INAH Media Library)The document said that, once the woman had the birth, the baby’s cord should be cut with an object sterilized in fire and stored, and then take a bath with herbs with the newborn and make a kind of prayer for the baby to be blessed.
“Now that you have relieved yourself, cut your baby’s cord with something very clean and heated on the fire, tie with pure cotton, salt water and then alcohol, tie with clean ixte. You will bathe with your baby with warm water of holy thistle, chincuale grᴀss and rue, but before that you will cross your baby thanking God for everything, you bathe him with your head towards where the sun rises, so he will be blessed by the ancestors…”
After birth, it was advised that the woman continue to drink chocolate with epazote and that she will feed her baby while covered with cotton blankets.
“Woman, keep taking more chocolate with epazote to regain your strength. Wrap the baby in thin cotton blankets but let his breast feel the warmth of his mother’s skin, they always want to eat when they are born, give him your breasts that have to be big and cool, full of good milk, hug him, sing to him…”
Finally, oral tradition recommended that the umbilical cord should not be thrown away when it falls off completely, but that it should be kept in case the baby gets sick, give it to him. The placenta had to be hung on trees with red ropes so that the animals could eat it and give wisdom to the mother.
“The navel is not pulled, it is put to dry and kept in a cloth, because it is medicine and the life of the baby, if he gets seriously ill from anything when he grows up, his navel will cure him. The placenta is tied to red ropes and hung on the top of the dry trees, there the eagles, the cacalottes, the vultures will eat, so your baby and you will never lose respect for nature because you are part of it, in exchange the animals give you their wisdom, their power, you feed your be’ nagú.
