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While childbirth is universally celebrated, certain cultures have traditions that might seem unusual. These 10 practices could make you appreciate your own birth circumstances even more.
10. Balinese Infants Are Kept Off the Ground
Balinese birth rituals are filled with unique traditions. One such practice is the setra ari ari, where the placenta, known as ari ari, is believed to possess its own spirit, serving as the baby’s protector. Families ceremoniously bury the placenta in a dedicated burial ground.
Among the most unusual customs is the prohibition of babies touching the ground until they are three months old. Infants are seen as sacred, and contact with the floor during this period is thought to taint their purity. At the end of this period, a special ceremony is held, marking the first time the baby touches the ground.
9. Consuming the Placenta
While the placenta provides nourishment to the fetus, some mothers view it as a source of nutrition for themselves. Through placentophagy, mothers consume their placenta postpartum to gain essential hormones and nutrients.
This practice is widespread among animals, often due to a lack of immediate food post-birth. Interestingly, some humans also advocate for it. Traditional medicine in regions like China, Jamaica, and parts of India promotes it for various spiritual benefits. Modern supporters argue that placental hormones can reduce stress and combat post-partum depression.
Scientists remain doubtful. Cooking the placenta eliminates its hormones and unique proteins, while consuming it raw poses infection risks that outweigh potential advantages.
8. Placing Wedding Cake on the Baby’s Forehead
While many couples save a portion of their wedding cake for an anniversary, Irish tradition reserves it for a different event: their first child’s christening. The top layer of the cake is shared with guests, and crumbs are gently placed on the baby’s forehead to bestow good fortune.
Traditional Irish wedding cakes often include a generous amount of whiskey. However, since the small amount of alcohol in the cake isn't sufficient for an Irish celebration, couples typically reserve some champagne from the wedding. This champagne is later opened during the child's baptism to ceremonially wet the baby’s head.
7. Infant Oral Affection
The Manchu, a minority group in China, express their affection for newborns in a unique manner. Their affectionate gestures include playful interactions with the child’s genital area. Girls are given gentle tickles, while boys may receive oral gestures from their mothers. Comparable customs are observed in certain communities in Thailand, Japan, and India.
This practice is entirely non-sexual in nature. Notably, the Manchu view kisses as inherently sexual, even among family members, which is why Manchu parents avoid kissing their child’s face.
6. Unique Chinese Pregnancy Traditions
China is home to numerous fascinating and unusual birthing traditions. When a newlywed Chinese couple enters their home for the first time, the groom carries his bride over the threshold, similar to global customs. However, he also steps over burning coals to symbolize a smooth and trouble-free childbirth. Once the wife becomes pregnant, she is expected to adhere to a series of intriguing and unexpected restrictions.
The expectant mother is prohibited from gossiping, laughing too loudly, or expressing anger. She is also advised to avoid negative thoughts and refrain from looking at clashing colors. Her diet should consist of light-colored foods, believed to influence the baby’s complexion. Additionally, sitting on uneven surfaces is discouraged, as it is thought to risk deformities in the child.
To ward off evil spirits, a knife is placed under her bed during sleep. No construction work is allowed in the house throughout the pregnancy, and the mother must abstain from sexual activity entirely.
5. Blessing Babies with Spit
The Wolof community in Mauritania and neighboring regions holds a unique belief that saliva can carry and preserve words. To bestow lasting blessings, they spit on newborns—women on the baby’s face, men in its ear, and then spread saliva over the child’s head for added protection.
The Igbo people of Nigeria take this practice further. After a baby’s birth, it is taken to the family’s ancestral home. A skilled speaker from the family chews alligator pepper, spits it onto their finger, and places it in the baby’s mouth. This ritual is believed to grant the child the same eloquence as the person performing the act.
4. Mayan Tradition of Dipping Babies in Cold Water
How do you protect your baby from heat strokes and rashes? If your solution involves plunging them into freezing water, you might share a tradition with the Mayan people.
In warmer regions like Guatemala, Mayan mothers believe icy baths are the ultimate remedy for combating heat. While babies often cry during the process, mothers insist it helps them sleep immediately afterward. Observers confirm that this chilling ritual effectively eliminates heat rash.
3. Secluded Childbirth Practices in Pakistan
In the Kalash culture of Pakistan, mothers traditionally give birth in isolation due to the belief that labor renders them impure. Deliveries take place in a designated structure known as the Bashleni, separate from the family home.
This practice ensures that men avoid exposure to the perceived impurities of childbirth. Even women, who may have experienced or will experience childbirth themselves, stay away. The only individuals permitted to assist the mother are menstruating women, as they are also considered unclean and thus unaffected by the ritual impurity.
2. Solo Childbirth in Nigerian Tradition
In certain Nigerian communities, women are expected to deliver their babies alone. Assistance from midwives or others is only provided after the birth, as the mother is required to handle the labor process entirely on her own.
This practice stems more from poverty and the marginalized status of women than from a celebration of independence. Many families discourage seeking external help, regardless of the mother’s needs. In response, some organizations are stepping in to provide support in rural areas. Without assistance, mothers often face risks such as miscarriages or other severe complications.
1. Lithuania’s Baby Crawling Competition
While most infants enjoy a relaxed life being pampered by their parents, Lithuanian babies experience something unique. Each year, the nation hosts a race to determine the fastest crawler in the country.
The event is filled with amusing scenes as the babies, often clueless about the task, stumble or stop midway. Parents encourage them by waving toys or other enticing objects to keep them moving.
Sponsored and widely attended, the race is held annually on June 1, coinciding with International Child Protection Day, making it a celebration of both fun and child welfare.
