Birth

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    The birth of a child is a very special moment for African communities. They believe that it is a reintroduction of an honored spirit who has re-entered the world. During the first few years the child will wear a talismans to help protect it in its fragile time. Many times the babies will not be named until later when the parents know that it will survive. They believe that if parents call the child by name, the spirit of death will have an easier time taking it back. The Krobos will name their children depending on their sex and when they were born. For example Afi Dede means "Friday Firstborn Girl"; the baby will receive her first beads at her naming ceremony. After the first week of having worn these wrist beads, she will receive new beads which she will wear around her waist.  As she grows it will be extended or replaced. Men will call it “a man’s rosary.” 2.                                                                                                                                            vii.

      During the actual process of giving birth no man is allowed vii. to enter the birthing room. The process of bringing another life into the world is a special act reserved for women. The to-be mother who is in labor will be surrounded by her female relatives. They will try and make the laboring process easier for her. Bringing the laboring female to the balanza tree is an option so that they can make offerings and ask for assistance in the labor.

             Since there are many nyamas during labor the midwife will have many herbs, amulets, and talismans on her, while incantations are recited. Once the child is born, the midwife will cleanse it and then proceed to unite it with its mother. 2.

            A special bath is used to cleanse the newborn. A unique water, called calabash water, is used to remove the large amounts of energy that the baby carries. For the next month a women in the family is responsible for bathing the child. This includes blowing into its ear, quickly sucking either the nose or mouth and navel and spitting the bad nyama out onto the floor. The mother, like the baby, receives a special bath after the birth. Her sisters, along with other women elders, will bathe her with warm water, containing balanza bark, in an effort to help the healing process. During this process the women will also sing her a song..  4. 

Thank you to our children's mother
Thank you to our children's mother
Thank you to all of our mothers
Thank you to all of our mothers
They are those who are blessed
They are those who are blessed
It is not easy
It is not easy to give life 

For more information on Twins please visit this website.