Birth in the waters of the Recôncavo (20th century Bahia)

Abstract:

We present the results of previously unpublished research on the history of childbirth and midwifery along the coast of Bahia throughout the 20th century. Through the inhabitants of Matarandiba’s (Bahia) memories, we reflect on the specifics of birth, the intersections of gender and race, and signal the erasure of childbirth and midwifery traditions. From a decolonial perspective, this study complements others that discuss birth in Bahia in the long-term. There is a continuing dialogue on birth traditions in Salvador, based on recent historiographical research and ethnographies conducted in the first half of the 20th century. For approximately three decades, we observed the denial of African and indigenous practices, interrupting the transgenerational transmission of knowledge, and contributing to the erasure of memories and the history of tidal communities.

Keywords:
History of childbirth; Midwife; Matarandiba; Memory