Activities carried out in traditional African communities to ensure newly born baby is safe.
- Baby is born in a secure/clean place (parent’s house)
- The baby’s birth is first announced to family members
- The placenta/umbilical cord is disposed of in a secret place (uncultivated field/banana plantation)
- Prayers/sacrifices/libations are offered for the well-being of the baby and mother
- The umbilical cord is cut to separate the baby from the mother
- Baby is cleaned using medicinal herb solutions/treatment by medicine men/witch doctor/shaving
- Baby’s mother stayed in seclusion for several days
- Baby/mother are given specific nutritious food to promote good health
- Mother takes medicinal herbs to ensure good health for both
- The baby is delivered by an expert/midwife
- The baby is given a name