A very good friend of mine gave birth few months ago and today while talking with her on the phone she told me that her mother would be going back to the village as she has successfully completed her Omugwo.
This propelled me to share in this lovely community one of the most sacred and oldest tradition of all times being passed on from generation to generations.
Omugwo is the traditional afterbirth care amongst the igbo people of the south eastern Nigeria. It is a heritage given to new mothers by their mothers to welcome and help them into motherhood. It is what you all know as postpartum care.
When the news of the baby's arrival is being made, the mother of the woman that just gave birth hurriedly prepares with many condiments for her Omugwo. In cases where the distance is far maybe different city or country ;they leave days before the arrival of the baby. The condiments they must go with include dry fish,uda,uziza, palm oil,utazi, palm wine etc. These are being used to prepare special food for the new mother and they aid in cleansing the blood after childbirth.
It is the sole responsibility of the mother of the woman that gave birth to go for the Omugwo. All mothers looked up to this day thus why they got worried if their daughters didn't take in a year after wedding ceremony. In a situation where the mother is indisposed, another close relative can go for the omugwo.
Activities done in the Omugwo includes :
- lots of cooking of food especially pepper soup to help clot blood, pap, bitter leaf soup and palm wine to ensure proper flow of breast milk for the baby
- Bathing both the mother and new born
- Massaging both the mother and new born.
- Taking care of the baby in the night to allow mum catch up some sleep.
- Wash baby clothes
- Go grocery shopping
- The most important of them all is hot water massage to mum's belly to to help loosen and flush out blood clots from the mother's body after delivery. It is a frequent practice to bind one's tummy and return back in shape after child birth.
Omugwo lasts for a period of 40 days or more after which the mother is handsomely rewarded for her time and care. When going back she would be given many gifts depending on how wealthy her son -inlaw is. Gifts like expensive wrappers and lace, gold necklaces,foods, shoes and some do receive car gifts too.
The importance of this tradition is that it helps the new mother to learn and be guided on the process of child care through the experience of her mother .
It also provides support for the new mum and help her to cope and manage post- partum depression.
I hope you enjoyed reading this.