The anthropology of childbirth: A study among the molbog community of Banggi Island, Sabah, Malaysia

• Main Author: Yong, Pauline Pau Lin
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: GN478-491.7 Social organization
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/40730/1/24%20PAGES.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/40730/2/FULLTEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/40730/

Given that remote island communities are often left with limited access to health facilities, especially with regard to pregnancy and childbirth, it comes to no surprise that traditional birthing methods and customs are still widely practiced among the Molbog community of Banggi Island, Sabah, Malaysia. Yet, the documentation of traditional home birthing practices among the Molbog is relatively unheard of. Thus, the main objective of this research was to explore the anthropology of childbirth concerning prenatal care, birth and postpartum practices among the Molbog. An ethnographic approach was used in the data collection that involved living in among the Molbog, observing childbirth and documenting various taboos, bathing practices, and uses of herbal medicine, as well as conducting a series of in-depth interviews with women, family members, village elders and the highly esteemed po’ngungulin (female traditional birth attendants). A second objective of the research was to identify the factors that influence or encourage the Molbog community to continue practising home birth. The current overall scenario is of generally benevolent control of the Molbog women practising their childbirth traditions paralleled with minor forms of medical interventions, especially during prenatal care. Unfortunately, the Molbog community is currently experiencing an increasing medicalization of childbirth and the imminent disappearance of knowledge of traditional childbirth and maternal health practices, when the po’ngungulin are no longer around.