In 2021, a large group of Mexican midwives published a press release about rebozos, a traditional scarf used for centuries to assist women in pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Rebozos are hand-loomed, from natural fibers, each unique, and are seen as sacred. In the last several decades, techniques and skills using rebozos had begun to infiltrate non-Mexican midwifery schools, trainings, and workshops, causing concern that this ancestral tool was a victim of Cultural Appropriation. Who could or should use this ancestral knowledge? Who could or should teach it? Who could or should weave rebozos?
What good questions to grapple with. Certainly, white Americans and Europeans have used the skills, knowledge and resources of other cultures for their economic and political advantage throughout modern history. This was often done forcefully and violently or in other cases with stealth and secrecy. The acknowledgement of this and the active effort to reverse future incidences of such exploitative appropriation is paramount.
At the same time, cultures – in non-colonized relationships – throughout history have exchanged best practices.
In this particular case, the Mexican midwives said to the press, “We seek union and the strengthening of Mexican and International Midwifery. In this sense, we recognize the Mexican Rebozo as a living representation of the wisdom available to those who embody the midwife and, from this, offered to ALL women, mothers, fathers, midwives, doulas, educators. The rebozo is part of the offering to the world by the living heritage of the Mexican and Latin American Culture. We don’t want to divide and we do not agree with prohibiting the women, midwives and doulas of the world the living inheritance of Mexico.”
Further along in their statement, the midwives’ welcome for everyone to use the rebozo wisdom includes specific guidance. The midwives assert the importance that every practitioner understand the depth of the history and holy nature of the scarf itself and that it needs to be used with that spirit. In addition, the midwives emphasize that the rebozos should be made by Mexican artisans, in the traditional style and with the traditional intention. And, finally, they clarify that learning the techniques from experienced Mexican midwives or their colleagues and keeping close ties with Mexican midwives when using them is essential.
The clarifications, the intention, the process that the Mexican midwives put forth makes it nearly impossible to commodify the use of rebozos in the way colonization has done with people and resources, as well as skills and techniques. The proper use of the rebozo requires the practitioner to continually connect to, support, and respect its source.
In the spirit of sharing the wisdom of Indigenous Traditions, on February 4, we will be hosting a local practitioner of Maya Abdominal Therapy, Patti Brinster, RN, CPM, LM. Like the rebozo, it is a traditional and natural practice. The technique focuses on a gentle massage of abdominal muscles, connective tissue, and internal organs that help guide all into proper alignment. It can be used to improve fertility, reduce the pain of menstrual cycles, aids in digestion and alleviates constipation and more. It also helps remove blockages so that energy, fluids and nutrients can readily flow.
Patti has been practicing the massage technique since 2008. She learned from Dr. Rosita Arvigo, who had studied with one of the last traditional Mayan shamans, Don Elijio Panti, in Belize. After four years of study, Patti was certified with a specialty in Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum.
Join us for the Springfield Community Birth Circle on February 4. Please contact me directly for details. ■