Birth taboos : the way out of a question

Abstract

Sex has always been an integral part of human life. It is one of man's basic biological needs and it is the means which makes the propagation of the species possible. Naturally, it figures prominently in most "primitive" ritual, custom and art. The pregnant neolithic mother goddess is literally the apotheosis of the power of femininity, the divine symbol of fertile Mother Earth. In folk consciousness elaborate rites de passage surround birth and other life crises. The primitive thought idiom invests the sexual act with magical powers. With the advent of Christianity the ritualistic element of sexuality fell into disrepute. The new religion of course stressed the importance of the soul, and the body was largely looked upon as the major hindrance to salvation. Thus, sex was strongly tabooed. The figure of the pregnant woman was tabooed. Intricate and ingenious ways and means were employed to conceal the physical evidence of pregnancy on a woman, especially from children. According to Maltese folk practice, all information about sex must be kept secret. Propagation of knowledge about sexual matters, especially to children, must be avoided. At least such was the case up to a decade ago.