Maternity Rites of the Mordvins of Siberia

In the article the maternity rites of Mordovianmigrants in Siberia are considered for the first time. Basic sources for studying this question were the field materials, collected during 2003 -2009 expeditions (Kemerovo, Irkutsk, Omsk, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Tyumen Regions, Transbaikal Territory, the Republic of Khakasiya,where Mordovian population predominantly lives). The Mordvins of Siberia paid great attention to the customs, connected with childbirth.The concern for future well-being of a child started long before his coming into the world and was expressed in a number of restrictions,prohibitions that had a certain attitude toward future parents. The main objective of all customs and rites, related to the childbirth, were toensure successful delivery, preserve newborn babys life and make conditions for his development. The absence of qualified medical care,low standard of culture of population made for prolonged use of a number of traditional customs and rites, connected with pregnancy andbirth in the villages.

Keywords

Authors

References