After delivery: attempts to protect children from 'tsempho' in a rural Malawian village

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Periodical article

Title:	After delivery: attempts to protect children from 'tsempho' in a rural Malawian village
Author:	Munthali, Alister C.
Year:	2002
Periodical:	The Society of Malawi Journal
Volume:	55
Issue:	1
Pages:	24-37
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Malawi Central Africa
Subjects:	Yao sexuality rituals child health sociology Perinatal care Traditional culture Traditional medicine
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/29779084
Abstract:	In many African societies postpartum sexual intercourse is prohibited with the aim of protecting the health of the newly born child, as well as that of the man. Among the Yao, if a man has sexual intercourse with a newly delivered mother he will become sick and suffer from an illness called 'chinyera'. If a child comes into contact with someone who has had sexual intercourse, it will suffer from an illness called 'tsempho', characterized by severe wasting or swelling. Based on fieldwork conducted in 1999 in the area of TA Malemia, Zomba district, Malawi, the author describes the different ritual processes that take place after the birth of a child and before its parents can resume sexual intercourse. These include the seclusion of a newly born baby after birth; the administration of 'likambako', the medicines and other rituals which protect newly born babies against illnesses believed to be caused by sexual intercourse; and the declaration of adultery by men. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract]