history of black midwives

so this little article comes from the site of international center for the tradition of childbirththe black midwives site.  i wish that there was an unbroken tradition of rituals as is described in the first paragraph, but our traditions our history are broken.  i see the acts of colonization genocide enslavement as the breaking of our history of our tradition, the maafa–the middle passage, as the break between the past and the future and we have to find a way to heal this break.  part of that healing is to find powerful rituals today that can create community.  and by creating community sustaining community, a community of equals a community that engenders mutual liberation of its members, we heal from the break.  because traumas personal cultural social historical traumas move into a healing place when we feel and believe and act as if we are powerful and relevant to others.  when we can live our own worth.  when the new selves that we created in the traumas have a home.  when they have created that home of love for themselves.

what was the name of that first black midwife?  what did she learn about birth and death in the middle passage?  what did she learn about the power of the female body?  all i can imagine around her on that boat is blood and shit and her having to midwife women with her and her in chains.  and her teaching women how to kill their children with prayer and calls to the ancestors.

and what was her name?

History of Black Midwives

Long ago, and in many parts of Africa today, midwives were revered, loved and depended on by the entire village. The Grand-midwives taught the apprentice midwife the traditional rituals of womanhood, childbearing and family care. These sacred rituals included prayer, homage and respect for the ancestors, massage, and preparation of food, breastfeeding, postpartum care and much more.

Sharon Robinson, critic and professor of midwifery and black health care systems, states in her 1984 study for the Journal of Nurse-Midwifery that the first Black lay midwife came to America in 1619, bringing with her a knowledge of health and healing based on her African background.

The most popular story about the good work of midwives comes from the Bible (Exodus 1:14 through Exodus 1:22). It tells of the Egyptian midwives Shiphrah and Puah, listening to the voice of God and refusing to kill the first-born sons of the Hebrews as Pharaoh had ordered.

Midwifery has always been an honored and spiritual profession among Africans who continued their rich traditions, even while enslaved. Historically Black midwives have saved the lives of countless mothers and babies throughout the United States. Both free and enslaved Black midwives provided midwifery care not only to their communities but also to families outside of the Black community.

The word “midwife” in many African languages is synonymous with spiritual healer. The Traditional Midwife’s calling expanded beyond catching babies; she was a healer, a spiritualist, a Public health activist and a community organizer. A woman entered into midwifery through several doors, a calling from God, appointed by the elders, chosen by an older midwife or moved by community need.