Customs and Rituals Relating to the Childbirth, Mother’s and Newborn’s Healthcare among the Tai Muong in Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province.

Abstract

The author describes the customs relating to the childbirth and the mother’s and newborn’s healthcare of the Tai Muong, a sub-ethnic group of the Tai in Con Cuong district, Nghe An province. Concerning such the customs, there are the Tai’s conception of the childbirth; different taboos before, during and after childbearing, as well as related rituals; regimes of healthcare for the pregnant and postnatal woman as well as for the newborn. This study shows that the Tai Muong remain many of their traditional customs of the childbirth and child-feeding as well as many good knowledge of and valuable folk remedies for the protection and improvement of the mother’s and newborn’s healthcare. In addition, the local people’s awareness and access of the modern medicine and medical services has been improved. However, many Tai women continue to have difficulties in accessing information and medical centers because of their limited economic conditions, and the low quality of the rural roads.