What is the role of rituats in managing childbirth in traditional societies?
Ans. The ways of managing childbirth in traditional societies are many
and vaired, their usefulness stems directly from the fact that they are accepted
culturally and collectively so that the mother does not have the psychic burden
ofreinventing the procedures, even though the potential castastrophes are alive
in the memory of her community and the index of anxiety, a ritual approach to
pregnancy which hems the pregnant woman about with taboos and prohibitions
helps make the anxiety manageable, A woman who observes all the prohibitions
and carries out all the rites will be actively involved in holding the unknown at
bay. She will have other reinforcements, for many of the ritual observances of
pregnancy involve the participation of others who should support her, primarily
her husband, then her kinfolk and then the other members of the community.
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