Hey everyone! I'm Gotham Chopra and this is
Holy Facts, the show where we take you on
a tour of the weirder side of religion and
spirituality, from Jedi priests to the Illuminati.
On this episode, we’re taking a closer look
at the spiritual side of giving birth. And
although passing a 7-pound baby through your
body, all the while screaming at your loving
and devoted husband Gotham that “YOU DID
THIS TO ME!” doesn’t seem all that spiritual
to me, many people around the world believe
it is. So, sit back, relax, and let us know
if you need any ice chips. And stop yelling
at me, honey!
Historically speaking, childbirth and religion
have always had a close working relationship,
from ancient tribal fertility rituals to the
Christian belief that God punished Eve for
eating the forbidden fruit by cursing women
with painful childbirth. And sorry, ladies,
but it seems like no amount of talking and
praying to the man upstairs is going to make
him change his mind on that score.
But despite the pain, people around the world
still venerate fertility and childbirth. In
the Philippines, participants in the annual
Obando Fertility Rites still dance in the
hopes that the “spirit of life” will enter
the wombs of childless women. And in England,
a figure carved into the hillside called the
Cerne Abbas Giant, which dates back to the
1600s, is said to have magical properties.
Childless couples dance around the figure,
and having sex atop it was said to cure infertility.
Which, beats the popular American fertility
cure of a bottle of red wine and a night in
a moderately-priced hotel.
In Tamil Nadu in India, mothers-to-be participate
in the Valaikaapu, or “bangle protection
ceremony” during which the women place colorful
bangles on the pregnant woman’s wrists to
ward off evil spirits. No word on whether
the bracelets also ward off stretch marks
and morning sickness.
During childbirth, some women choose to let
their bodies move to the music. Many believe
that belly dancing originated as a Mesopotamian
method of easing the pain of childbirth, a
practice known as the Birth Magic Ritual.
It’s also making a comeback with Western
moms-to-be as a means of aiding with flexibility,
strength and breathing during pregnancy and
labor. No offense, but belly dancing just
skyrocketed to the top of my list of Least
Sexy Activities.
Once the baby is born, Muslims believe that
the “adhaan,” or call to prayer should
be the first words a child hears, so the call
is whispered in the baby’s right ear, usually
by his or her father. It isn’t until after
the first few days at home that the father
begins whispering instead “Please sleep
through the night.”
In Egypt, new parents practice a ritual called
el-sebou’ on the seventh day of their baby’s
life. Egyptians believe that babies are born
gender neutral and the sebou’ marks the
point at which gender is defined and the baby’s
sex is publicly announced. It’s not just
a centuries-old Egyptian custom, it’s also
a clever way to make sure you don’t get
a bunch of annoying bubble-gum pink onesies
if you’re having a girl.
After the birth, Hawaiians plant the placenta
in a religious ceremony[ZS2] as[SB3] a means
of binding the child to his or her homeland. Although,
it’s probably a lot easier for a kid to
feel connected to his home when that homeland
is the most beautiful paradise on planet Earth.
When the placenta is planted with a tree,
the tree is believed to provide insight into
the child’s well-being. Healthy tree, healthy
child.
As a parent, I can say that there’s nothing
more spiritual than having a kid, but it’s
not just that “having it” – which of
course I can’t speak to as a man – it’s
raising it, witnessing a baby’s consciousness
expanding and seeing the universe slowly imprinting
itself on your child that is truly a profound
spiritual journey. And an exhausting one.
I’m rambling, but you get the point, right?
Was your child’s birth a spiritual event?
Let us know in the comments section below
or by uploading a response video.
[ZS1]Gotham, do we want to be careful about
offending here. It’s your call here but
I think this one is forced.
[ZS2]I know we are taking a global approach
here to sharing some of the alternative birthing
rituals but I would be curious to know about
some of the alternative practices here in
the U.S. that women are choosing over a hospital.
[SB3]Zack: I would love to include some of
that stuff, but this video is already running
way long so I don’t know what to cut to
allow for a section on American alternative
practices. If you can advise, I can make the
change.
