Birth on Ponape: Myth and Reality

Fischer, J. L. (1986). "Birth on Ponape: Myth and Reality". Die Geburt Aus Ethnomedizinischer Sicht. Wiesbaden: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag. pp. 159–172. ISBN 978-3-528-17916-8.

Abstract: Describes traditional birth practices on Ponape (now "Pohnpei"), Caroline Islands, & draws connections between these practices & matrilinear clan origin myths. Birth customs that stand out (eg, food indulgence for pregnant women, low incidence of infanticide, early weaning, labor privacy, high valuation of labor stoicism, common adoption, little concern about illegitimacy) are argued to have symbolic correlates in the origin myths. Early weaning, the desire for children to mature rapidly, & a short postpartum taboo on sex are discussed in terms of a myth in which a baby severs his or her own umbilical chord. It is concluded that the relation between myths & birth customs is complex, but that myths can illuminate the emotional & cultural significance of birth customs. 6 References. Adapted from the source document.

Extra details:

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-322-88780-1_21
MAG: 1861932130
OpenAlex: W1861932130
CorpusID: 162105044