Hey everyone! I'm Gotham Chopra and this is Holy Facts, the show where we take you on
a tour of the weirder side of religion and spirituality, from Jedi priests to the Illuminati.
On this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the spiritual side of giving birth. And
although passing a 7-pound baby through your body, all the while screaming at your loving
and devoted husband Gotham that “YOU DID THIS TO ME!” doesn’t seem all that spiritual
to me, many people around the world believe it is. So, sit back, relax, and let us know
if you need any ice chips. And stop yelling at me, honey!
Historically speaking, childbirth and religion have always had a close working relationship,
from ancient tribal fertility rituals to the Christian belief that God punished Eve for
eating the forbidden fruit by cursing women with painful childbirth. And sorry, ladies,
but it seems like no amount of talking and praying to the man upstairs is going to make
him change his mind on that score. But despite the pain, people around the world
still venerate fertility and childbirth. In the Philippines, participants in the annual
Obando Fertility Rites still dance in the hopes that the “spirit of life” will enter
the wombs of childless women. And in England, a figure carved into the hillside called the
Cerne Abbas Giant, which dates back to the 1600s, is said to have magical properties.
Childless couples dance around the figure, and having sex atop it was said to cure infertility.
Which, beats the popular American fertility cure of a bottle of red wine and a night in
a moderately-priced hotel. In Tamil Nadu in India, mothers-to-be participate
in the Valaikaapu, or “bangle protection ceremony” during which the women place colorful
bangles on the pregnant woman’s wrists to ward off evil spirits. No word on whether
the bracelets also ward off stretch marks and morning sickness.
During childbirth, some women choose to let their bodies move to the music. Many believe
that belly dancing originated as a Mesopotamian method of easing the pain of childbirth, a
practice known as the Birth Magic Ritual. It’s also making a comeback with Western
moms-to-be as a means of aiding with flexibility, strength and breathing during pregnancy and
labor. No offense, but belly dancing just skyrocketed to the top of my list of Least
Sexy Activities.
Once the baby is born, Muslims believe that the “adhaan,” or call to prayer should
be the first words a child hears, so the call is whispered in the baby’s right ear, usually
by his or her father. It isn’t until after the first few days at home that the father
begins whispering instead “Please sleep through the night.”
In Egypt, new parents practice a ritual called el-sebou’ on the seventh day of their baby’s
life. Egyptians believe that babies are born gender neutral and the sebou’ marks the
point at which gender is defined and the baby’s sex is publicly announced. It’s not just
a centuries-old Egyptian custom, it’s also a clever way to make sure you don’t get
a bunch of annoying bubble-gum pink onesies if you’re having a girl.
After the birth, Hawaiians plant the placenta in a religious ceremony[ZS2] as[SB3] a means
of binding the child to his or her homeland. Although, it’s probably a lot easier for a kid to
feel connected to his home when that homeland is the most beautiful paradise on planet Earth.
When the placenta is planted with a tree, the tree is believed to provide insight into
the child’s well-being. Healthy tree, healthy child.
As a parent, I can say that there’s nothing more spiritual than having a kid, but it’s
not just that “having it” – which of course I can’t speak to as a man – it’s
raising it, witnessing a baby’s consciousness expanding and seeing the universe slowly imprinting
itself on your child that is truly a profound spiritual journey. And an exhausting one.
I’m rambling, but you get the point, right?
Was your child’s birth a spiritual event? Let us know in the comments section below
or by uploading a response video.
[ZS1]Gotham, do we want to be careful about offending here. It’s your call here but
I think this one is forced. [ZS2]I know we are taking a global approach
here to sharing some of the alternative birthing rituals but I would be curious to know about
some of the alternative practices here in the U.S. that women are choosing over a hospital.
[SB3]Zack: I would love to include some of that stuff, but this video is already running
way long so I don’t know what to cut to allow for a section on American alternative
practices. If you can advise, I can make the change.