User:Dacey.stratton/Quechuadraft

Background Information

Social Structure and Organization

Similar to many Spanish cultures, the surname consists of two parts. Married couples do not exchange names; their children recieve a combination of their names. One receives the first of two part surname of each parent, with the mother's name first and the father's name last. Thus, the father's surname continues indefinitely while the mother's does not. One may marry someone removed by four generations. In some populations of Quechua, it is not appropriate to marry one who shares either of the last names. To do so would be considered incest, which is "a most shameful act." (Bolin, 117) There are gender roles, but they are not strict. For example, women typically rear children and cook meals, but a man preparing dinner would not be out of place. Men and women both weave, but women typically weave more intricate patterns. Men and women both take great pride in their work, so if their is work to be done, anyone available will help regardless of their sex.(Bolin 121) Although there are semi-defined sex roles, there is no gender inequality. The youngest child remains in the parents' home to take care of them in old age. After they die, the youngest child inherits the home and their share of the land and livestock for their work. The other siblings generally receive the same amount of land and livestock as the youngest child.

Religion

From their interactions with the Inca and the Spaniards, the Quechua developed religious practices that include aspects of the Spaniards’ Christianity interwoven with Incan duality (Smith, 2008). Their beliefs are structured around appeasing their many gods in order to ensure good fortune. The central god is Pachamama, Mother Earth, and offerings of drinks are made to her daily (Nature Worship, 2011). Included in their beliefs is the idea that all things are animate and omnipotent. Some, like moving water, rainbows, and cold air, are controlled by the devil and can cause serious harm to anyone who comes in contact with them (Smith, 2008, p. 34-36). Women are particularly susceptible to these evils while in labor, and therefore specific precautions must be taken (Smith). For example, the woman must be shielded from the cold air by being fully clothed and by being in a warm room, preferably heated by fire (Smith). Of utmost importance is that the woman be touching Pachamama, with her bare feet on the ground, when the child is born and that the placenta be buried, within Pachamama’s warm stomach (Smith). These will each ensure that Pachamama will treat the child favorably (Smith).

Health Statistics (especially related to women’s health)

Peru has the second highest maternal mortality rate in South America. The major causes of maternal death are hemorrhage, infection, eclampsia, and infection. Of the thousands of health centers in Peru, only 25 combine the use of traditional and western medicine. (Of highest risk) due to their forced geographic isolation, fifty-nine percent of the indigenous communities do not have access to a health care facility (Amnesty International, 2009). Of the communities that do have a facility, forty-five percent have only a first-aid post, forty-two percent had a health post (one of the most basic health facilities), and only ten percent had an actual health center (Amnesty International). In addition, language and cultural barriers leave them apprehensive about the care they will receive, and so they simply do not go to the health centers when they are available (Bristol, 2009). As a result, the maternal mortality rate of indigenous women is significantly higher than their Spanish counterpart (Physicians for Human Rights).

Pregnancy Behaviors and Beliefs

Local View (conceptualization) of Pregnancy, Birth and Infertility

"Phallcha flowers are female and are symbols for fertility" Page 61, Rituals of respect.

Postpartum

Extrinsic Factors

Sleep and wakefulness, rest, activity, and movement.

The mother must remain in her home for eight days following the birth of a child (Bolin, 156)

Newborn

Rites of passage

There are no immediate right of passage for newborn. Sometime between their first and fourth birthday, the first haircutting ceremony (Rutuy, which literally translates to "to cut the hair") occurs. At this time, the baby becomes a child and one or two people who are special to the family accept the honor of being the child's godparents. The male godparent is the padrino and the female is the madrina. Rutuy is a celebration of life. Friends and family come with gifts of clothing, livestock, or most frequently, money to aid in the child's upbringing. The child's parents provide food and drink for all who participate. At the beginning of the ceremony, an unkuna cloth is placed on a table under a plate. An unkuna cloth is a special cloth for rituals that generally holds coca leaves. For Rutuy, the unkuna holds the scissors until the haircut begins. The godparents begin the ceremony by each cutting a section of the child's hair and placing it on the plate. On top of the hair, each godparent places a gift of money. Then the hug the parents and allow the next person to cut hair while they drink. Each person has a turn cutting the child's hair, placing it on the plate, and donating money. When everyone has had a turn, the godparents finish the haircut and count the money. The money is presented to the parents for the child's future needs. The hair is placed inside the unkuna cloth while the celebration continues. Once it is dark, the unkuna is burned as an offering to the mountain god, but the celebration may continue until dawn.

Caregiver

While the mother is the primary care giver, the father is also very involved in the children's upbringing. The godparents become involved in the raising of the child after the Rutuy.

Extrinsic Factors

Air and water.

(bathing, vernix, navel/umbilical cord, fontanelles)

Food and drink.

(feeding, introduction of foods)