<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This article analyses the birth care beliefs practiced in a Punjabi village. Birth care is an important practice that ensures a safe and uncomplicated birth for both mother and child. The study presents an in-depth exploration of the human–divine connection and its symbolic manifestation in birth care rituals in rural Muslim communities. Utilising unstructured interviews with midwives, mothers, elderly women, and an imam, the research sheds light on the essential role of religious prayers, Quran recitation, charity, as well simulative imagery and amulets within the cultural care system of rural Punjab. Words, symbols, objects, and symbolic expressions emerge as powerful tools in facilitating faith healing and enhancing its perceived efficacy. The research deepens our understanding of the faith-based birth care process and highlights the essential interdependence of the human– divine connection and symbolic expression (manifestation of belief) within faith-based birth care practices.</p>
</abstract>

This article analyses the birth care beliefs practiced in a Punjabi village. Birth care is an important practice that ensures a safe and uncomplicated birth for both mother and child. The study presents an in-depth exploration of the human–divine connection and its symbolic manifestation in birth care rituals in rural Muslim communities. Utilising unstructured interviews with midwives, mothers, elderly women, and an imam, the research sheds light on the essential role of religious prayers, Quran recitation, charity, as well simulative imagery and amulets within the cultural care system of rural Punjab. Words, symbols, objects, and symbolic expressions emerge as powerful tools in facilitating faith healing and enhancing its perceived efficacy. The research deepens our understanding of the faith-based birth care process and highlights the essential interdependence of the human– divine connection and symbolic expression (manifestation of belief) within faith-based birth care practices.

Birth Care Belief Practices: Traditional Mother–Child Care During Birth in Rural Punjab, Pakistan

Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This article analyses the birth care beliefs practiced in a Punjabi village. Birth care is an important practice that ensures a safe and uncomplicated birth...

Birth Care Belief Practices: Traditional Mother–Child Care During Birth in Rural Punjab, Pakistan

Publié en ligne: 11 juin 2024

Pages: 167 - 185

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jef-2024-0011

Mots clés
birthing rituals, belief practices, mother–child care, folk Islam, magical thinking, birth care

© 2024 Azher Hameed Qamar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Birth Care Belief Practices: Traditional Mother–Child Care During Birth in Rural Punjab, Pakistan

Publié en ligne: 11 juin 2024

Pages: 167 - 185

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jef-2024-0011

Mots clésbirthing rituals, belief practices, mother–child care, folk Islam, magical thinking, birth care

© 2024 Azher Hameed Qamar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
birthing rituals, belief practices, mother–child care, folk Islam, magical thinking, birth care