Indonesia

Mothering and Birthing Customs

The customs surrounding motherhood vary considerably in Indonesia, which consists of many different ethnic groups. The largest group, in terms of population, is the Javanese, which number some 90 million and make up about 40 percent of the population. For the Javanese elite, women were brought up in royal courts, or kraton, and gained their knowledge from sages, family retainers, and court advisers. It was a very conservative and restricted society, and few managed to have the energy or aptitude to embark on an independent course. This is why the letters of “Princess” Kartini are so significant, as they demonstrate the political and social thinking of a progressive member of an aristocratic Javanese family from Jepara who communicated with women's groups in the Netherlands. However, in spite of her great energy and desire to improve the life of women and the role of mothers in Indonesia, in 1903 Kartini married a local official who already had three wives. She died in the following year, four days after giving birth to her only child, a son.

For the majority of the population in Java, the customs were different during the 20th century, although polygamy existed at many levels in society, especially among the prijaji (similar to the Japanese samurai). The family unit is focused in the village, with the mother bringing up the children with the help of older female relatives and village elders. Although the overwhelming majority of Javanese are Muslim, some traditional customs are still used. Just before a child is born, members of the mother's household gather around her and serve a dish of rice and a peeled banana. Chanting of prayers to Allah start when the labor pains begin, and a dukun baji (midwife) is consulted. After the birth, the umbilical cord was cut by the dukun using a traditional bamboo knife, and turmeric is used to rub into the ensuing wounds. The umbilical cord is then buried with salt—maternal mortality was, by custom, often associated with the poor burial of the cord. The baby is then placed on a table upon which the dukun bangs three times, followed by the mother hitting the table three times. The purpose of this performance is to prepare the child for surprises in life when it grows up. The first Javanese ceremony after birth is called a Pasaran, and after seven months there is a Pitonan, which is attended by many local people.

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