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Whereas in western countries breastfeeding is an uncontroversial, purely personal issue, in most parts of the world mother and baby form part of a network of interpersonal relations with its own rules and expectations. In this study, the author examines the cultural and social context of breastfeeding among the Gogo women of the Cigongwe's village in Tanzania, as part of the Paediatric Programme of Doctors with Africa, based in Padua. The focus is on mothers' behaviour and post partum taboos as key elements in Gogo understanding of the vicissitudes of the breast feeding process. This nutritional period is subject to many different events both physical and social that may upset the natural and intense link between mother and child. Any violation of cultural norms, particularly those dealing with sexual behaviour, marriage and reproduction, can, in the eyes of the Gogo, put at risk the correct development of an infant with serious consequences both for the baby's health as well as for the woman's image as mother and wife.
List of contents
Acknowledgements
Illustrations
Introduction Chapter 1. Cigongwe
Towards the village
Meeting with the village
Fieldwork
The route of the research
Chapter 2. The Gogo Women
The living space
The house
Nyumba: physical-residential unit, social-residential unit
The Gogo woman
Chapter 3. Breast Feeding
Breast feeding between nature and culture
The modalities of breast feeding
Breast milk
'Bad milk' in only one breast
Chapter 4. The 'Good Mother', the 'Bad Mother': Diarrhoea as a Sign of Social Disorder
Inside the problem
Motherhood and mothering
The health of the newborn: a challenge to survival
Post-partum taboos
Chapter 5. Maternal Milk: Indicator of 'Good Mother'
Breast feeding: a bridge between the different levels of the Gogo social system
The woman: mother and nurturer
A brief return to the village
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Mara Mabilia teaches at the Intercultural Studies Master's Programme as well as Cultural Anthropology with a sub-field in Cooperation and Development at the Faculty of Education, both at University of Padua. She also lectures in other Postgraduate programmes (University of Brescia and University of Rome). She prepares doctors who serve as volunteers in Africa at C.U.A.M.M. Doctors with Africa - International College for Health Cooperation in Developing Countries, Padua.
Summary
The author examines the cultural and social context of breast feeding among the African Gogo women of the Cigongwe's village in Tanzania.
Additional text
“This volume is exemplary in the field of anthropological research…The writing style is clear and reflective…I recommend Breastfeeding and Sexuality for those interested in Tanzanian maternal–child health practices, cross-cultural studies, anthropological research methods, breast-feeding and women’s experiences.” · Journal of Biosocial Science
"...the book is to be highly recommended." · JRAI
