It is common to find the placenta being buried in or near the child's home, believing that the placenta binds a child to his or her ancestral beginnings. As we discovered in our last newsletter, the Hmong communities in Asia call the placenta the "black jacket" - a child's finest clothing that will be carried with them after death. Balinese fathers are responsible for washing and preparing the placenta, and subsequently burying it by the front door of the family home. Maori's of New Zealand also bury the placenta - the same word is used in the Maori language for placenta and land, "whenua". The Sundanese bury the placenta under a window at the back of the family home.

Navajo parents bury the placenta and the umbilical cord in a place that represents their dreams for their child. Thai parents also bury the placenta. It is first salted to preserve it, then it is placed in an earthenware pot, before being buried on an auspicious day. The location is chosen depending on when the child is born, with a site chosen where a plant that represents the child's year of birth is grown. For example, the coconut tree watches over the placentas of babies born in the year of the rat, the dragon or the rabbit, while the lotus protects babies born in the year of the tiger and dog.

Many cultures believe the placenta has its own spirit. Aymara and Quecha fathers from Bolivia wash and bury the placenta in a secret shady place to protect the mother and baby. The Ibo people of Ghana and Nigeria give the placenta a traditional burial as the twin of the child.

Traditional Turkish families believe that the way the placenta and umbilical cord are treated can influence the child's future. The umbilical cord will be buried in a place that then determines the child's characteristics as an adult. Burying the cord in the courtyard of a mosque ensures they will become devout, while throwing it into the water means the child will seek their destiny away from the family home. The placenta is believed to be a part of the child and, like the Ibo, it is wrapped and buried.

Childbirth International is a truly diverse international training organisation. With students in 53 countries, from every corner of the globe, we celebrate the differences, similarities and uniqueness of each culture, religion and race.

We believe that with knowledge of different cultural groups, particularly in the field of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting, we can all learn from each other and eliminate intolerance and prejudice.

In Culture Vulture we seek to explore different birthing practices and beliefs from around the world, opening up our understanding and bringing the rest of the world a little closer.

Childbirth International courses explore cultural differences and different value systems, enabling students to become more aware of the rich variety of women and families that they will be working with.

For more information on training with Childbirth International, take a look at our website at www.childbirthinternational.com, or contact us.

Childbirth International offers training programs for Birth Doulas, Postpartum Doulas and Antenatal Teachers. From September 2008 we will also be launching a Breastfeeding Counseling course.

Author: Nikki Macfarlane
Last Updated: March 26 2008