A Local Midwife or a Doctor? Two Systems of Knowledge in Birthing Practices of Russian Old Believers
A Local Midwife or a Doctor? Two Systems of Knowledge in Birthing Practices of Russian Old Believers
Author(s): Natalia DushakovaSubject(s): Customs / Folklore, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Culture and social structure
Published by: Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum
Keywords: anthropology of birth; birthing practices; medical doctor; Old Believers; traditional birth attendant; traditional midwifery
Summary/Abstract: The article explores complex relationships between traditional midwifery and medical institutions as two legitimate knowledge systems in the communities of Russian Old Believers in the Republic of Moldova and in Romania. It is aimed at discussing beliefs and practices around giving birth with the help of a local midwife from the same community, their transformation caused by the access to maternity hospitals as well as distribution of roles between a traditional birth attendant and a doctor. The article is based on oral narratives of Old Believers who used to be local midwives or gave birth to children with the help of such a specialist. The narratives were recorded by the author in 2008–2018.
Journal: Folklore: Electronic Journal of Folklore
- Issue Year: 2020
- Issue No: 80
- Page Range: 169-190
- Page Count: 22
- Language: English