Birth is a ceremony: Story and formulas of thought in indigenous medicine and indigenous communications

Birth in North America has become increasingly medicalized. Indigenous communities experienced a loss of communal ownership and a loss of personal sovereignty for women and families as births moved to clinics and hospitals. The ceremonial knowledge surrounding birth became restricted by clinical settings and protocols. This research explores how Indigenous people understand birth as a ceremony within the context of Indigenous medicine. It examines how birthing stories, ceremonies and cultural teachings have been mass communicated to succeeding generations. It explores how related signs, symbols and material culture of Mesoamerica connect meaning to persisting values in Mexican Traditional Medicine. It examines the principle of regeneration through symbols of feminine functions in nature and the iconography of the Mesoamerican Spiderwoman---Tlazolteotl. Indigenous communication is established with humans as well as plants, animals and the universe in a multi-channel call and response.;This study finds that symbols and practices surrounding the umbilical cord, placenta, umbilicus and Trees of Life reflect the relationships between place and wellbeing. Using a collaborative design with the input of ceremonial leaders, parents and midwives, the research suggests ways to promote the idea of birth as a ceremony as part of health promotions. It concludes that when Indigenous women assert their right to birth as a ceremony, they establish their womb as a site of self determination. This research contributes to contemporary Indigenous knowledge and how birthing knowledge reflects a bio-cultural and bio-ritual understanding of life and is embedded in Aboriginal culture and medicinal practices.