A touching new photo series reveals the different traditions observed by communities around the world to protect mothers and welcome new babies, giving them the best start in life.
From postpartum porridge-making and paint masks to baptisms and beer-brewing, the striking images reveal how ten countries from the UK to India and Uganda to Sweden celebrate new life.
The fascinating series was launched this morning WaterAid as part of its Water Effect campaign, which aims to help protect mothers and ensure all babies have the best possible start in life by getting clean water, decent sanitation and good hygiene in health centres access the world.
It features traditions such as Nana Fatsuma in Nigeria, where a stick with twig-like fingers is placed in a bowl of water and given to the labouring mother to hasten delivery, the Okuizome first food ceremony for babies in Japan, and the Ghanaian custom of Nila where a small cut is made on the child's face to protect them from convulsions.
In Japan, Natsumi, 29, feeds her daughter Miwa, four weeks old, during Okuizome, a first food ceremony. The image features in a fascinating series which was launched this morning WaterAid as part of its Water Effect campaign
In Zambia, Linety, 18, bathes her grandaughter, Maria, one month, in Nsambilo. The concoction of protection made from tree roots, believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits. It was made by Linety's mother Flora, 59
Twigs opening in water: In Nigeria, the twig tree is held in a calabash bowl waiting to dissolve in water as part of the Nana Fatsuma tradition. The pregnant mum will drink the solution to hasten delivery, as per tradition
In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a ‘masonjoany’ mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her seven-day-old baby Jackie Marcel Stephan
In Uganda, Nagit 30, husband Lomer, 32, and baby Bakita sit with their five children after the blessing of their newborn. As part of the blessing, the skin of the Etopojjo tree is soaked in water, forming small strings. These strings are then tied around the baby's wrist, ankles, neck and waist
Rinku, 22, from Delhi, followed the Indian baby tradition of applying thick, black paste called kohl to her daughter Kritika's eyes.
'The tradition of applying kohl or 'kajal' to the infant's eyes and forehead began long ago and has been taught to each generation by the elders,' Rinku said. 'The black kajal protects the child from any evil spirits and keeps them healthy.'
Water plays a key role in many of the traditions; it is used to make a special porridge for new mums in Malawi and is mixed with ground tree branch to form a paste to create a 'masonjoany' mask in Madagascar.
Nome, 21, from Madagascar, wore the mask as part of the Manaboaka Jabely tradition after giving birth. She said: 'In our culture, mothers like me and our newborn babies are not allowed to go outside during the first seven days after the birth.
'The mother is still suffering and the baby is still very fragile. My older sister applied a 'masonjoany' mask to my face to protect it from the sun and from all bad spirits. Once we have made it through these sacred critical seven days, we step outside for a short time to face the reality of life and the bright sun.'
In Ghana, Mary, 21 stands with her husband Sampson and two-year-old son Nathaniel. They performed the Nila tradition where a traditional herbalist makes a small cut on the baby's cheek, thought to prevent the him from getting convulsions. Both parents also underwent the Nila tradition as infants
In Sweden, Sebastian, 31, and Maria, 34 hold their baby son Harry. Sebastian cut his newborn son Harry's umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Östersund hospital. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth
Sebastian cuts his newborn son Harry's umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Östersund hospital, Sweden. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth. The image is part of a new photo series curated by WaterAid
In Uganda, Awas, 58, (far left) serves local beer to her family and clan elders including her Sagal, 24, to mark the birth of her six-week-old grandson Loumo. The clan members all drink from one gourd as a sign of peace and togetherness as they welcome the new baby
In the USA, parents Robert, 38, and Marisa, 37, hold their four month old baby Emmeline. She was baptised in a Roman Catholic church. Some Catholics believe pouring holy water over a baby's head absolves them of original sin
In Malawi, grandmother Melise makes porridge for her daughter, Lucia, 26, who has just given birth to baby Bertha. New mums are given a special porridge made from soya, maize flour and sugar. It is thought to give them the energy and the nutrients they need
In Zambia, Grandma Estheli, 62, covers baby Mutinta, two weeks old, while being held by her mother Chuuma, 18. Mutinta wears a kakonde necklace to protect her from vomiting, diarrhoea and bad omens
However, one in nine people around the world have no access to clean water, while one in three health centres have no safe water source.
Babies born in these health centres will face health risks such as infections, which can be fatal. Every minute a newborn baby dies from infection caused by a lack of safe water and an unclean environment.
Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive of WaterAid said: 'The birth of a new baby is a time of great joy and celebration, and all over the world, communities hold to traditions believed to keep the mothers safe and bring the babies good luck, happiness or good health.
In Ghana, Vida took part in the Kosoto custom following David's birth where bark from a tree is taken, boiled in water and then poured over her to protect her from stomach problems in future pregnancies
In Ghana, Vida sits with her children (L-R) Patrick, aged 11, David, one month, Hannah, aged five and Desmond, aged three, outside their home. Vida took part in the Kosoto custom following David's birth
Silvering the baby: In Scotland, Ross, 35, and Amanda, 32, from Glasgow welcomed their five week old baby, Emma. Emma is given a coin by her Nana, Sandra, a custom meant to bring good luck and prosperity
In India, Kritika, two, has a drink after her mother, Rinku, 22, has applied thick, black kajal' or kohl to her child's eyes and forehead to ward off evil spirits. Rinu explains: 'The black kajal protects the child from any evil spirits and keeps them healthy'
India, Kritika, two, has thick, black kohl applied to her eyes and forehead to ward off evil spirits by her mother Rinku. 'The tradition of applying kohl or 'kajal' to the infant's eyes and forehead began long ago and has been taught to each generation by the elders,' Rinku says
In Uganda, Nagit 30, husband Lomer, 32, and baby Bakita sit with their five children after the blessing of their newborn. As part of this, the skin of the Etopojjo tree is soaked in water, forming small strings. These strings are then tied around the baby's wrist, ankles, neck and waist
In Zambia, Flora, 59, sits with her daughter, Linety, 18, and prepares to bathe her grandaughter, Maria, one month, in Nsambilo, a concoction of protection made from tree roots, believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits
'But for the millions of mothers who have no choice but attend a health centre without clean water, they do not have the most important thing to welcome any new life – clean water and a hygienic environment.
'It's unacceptable that in the developing world one in three health centres do not have clean water. This means doctors and midwives cannot protect their patients from the risk of infection, and the consequences can be fatal.
'That's why we're putting clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene at the heart of healthcare, helping save lives every day. Healthcare workers can keep their hands and utensils clean; mothers can give birth more safely; and children can stay healthy and in school. That's the water effect.'
For more information on WaterAid's Water Effect Appeal, visit wateraid.org.uk/water-effect
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/02/22/wateraid-gallery-reveals-childbirth-traditions-from-around-the-world/
Main photo article A touching new photo series reveals the different traditions observed by communities around the world to protect mothers and welcome new babies, giving them the best start in life.
From postpartum porridge-making and paint masks to baptisms and beer-brewing, the striking images reveal how ten...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/21/16/10103886-6729765-In_Japan_Natsumi_29_feeds_her_daughter_Miwa_four_weeks_old_durin-a-86_1550766573923.jpg
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