In this post we will be discussing The Myths Behind Burying Placenta In Africa, Different cultures around the world have either a myth, ritual or cultural practices surrounding the disposal of the baby’s placenta. Some of these rites and rituals are still been practiced by some while most people have been stoped it.
The Myths Behind Burying Placenta In Africa
The placenta is a vascular organ that develops within the uterus during a pregnancy. It’s Attached to the umbilical cord of the baby, this placenta discharges shortly after birth, so, it is often called the after-birth. Since it is the structure through which the fetus receives its nourishment, many cultures consider it rich in nutrients and an extra
ordinary phenomenon.
Among the yorubas the burying of a baby’s placenta is a tradition that is carried out mostly by the father or in his absence by a member of his family or anybody that wife chooses and trust to do it in the absence of her husband.
The Yorubas called it “ibi-ọmọ”, which literally means the world is a vicissitude of “the good, the bad and the ugly”. meaning the baby is the good and the placenta is the bad. So the good one which is the baby is taken home, while the bad which is the placenta will be buried, because it is believed that we can’t take something that is bad home.
This tradition has been right from time and has been emulated over the years.
In some cases the placenta might refuse to come out so there are traditional ways of forcing it out of the womb.
according to tradition One of the ways to make it come out is to put a ladle in a hot water, pour palm oil on it and place it on the tongue of the woman.
The heat that is produced from the oil will push out the placenta after she is asked to push. While in a very serious case it can be called out of the womb using incantation.
While among the Igbo people of Nigeria, the mother will have to choose a place at the foot of a young growing tree, the more fruitful, the better.
The chosen palm tree, banana, breadfruit, or plantain tree will become the child’s tree, Igbo beliefs holds it will give as many fruits, just as the child will successful throughout his/her life. It is also a way to bind the child to the earth, and to that special place in his community.
Some other superstitious beliefs are attached to the placenta such as if a dogs digs up the placenta of a child where it is buried such child will become promiscuous for the rest of its life.
While some others belief that a baby must not see its own placenta as it is a taboo. Others have attached so much spirituality to it that if your enemy see or knows where one’s placenta is being buried he can do evil to it and render the person useless.