Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Birth ritual'

This thesis explores the social construction of birth by analyzing the interaction between the participants present in the delivery room. The data is drawn from 79 video recordings of birth. Six are unedited research recordings and the remaining 73 were edited for pedagogical, documentary and entertaining purposes. The theoretical and analytical perspective is Conversation Analysis. With this microanalytic method, a detailed insight is given to the interaction in the delivery room which should be of linguistic, anthropologic and midwifery interest. The thesis demonstrates how different situations are shaped during labor and the first 15 minutes after birth. It reveals how the identities child, girl, boy, mother, father, woman and man are constructed and negotiated in the unfolding interaction between the participants. In this sense, the thesis uncovers the construction of family roles in the delivery room during a delicate interaction between the private persons and the institutional representatives. The latter are charged with the complex task of safeguarding the physical wellbeing of mother and child while also promoting the development of parental identities. The thesis highlights the existence of a social birth work; the institutional interactants make use of a range of linguistic resources to demarcate the progression from second stage labor to birth and to position the newborn as an endeared social creature. Birth is an important liminal situation and is therefore forcefully spoken forth, and, as the thesis shows, enhanced with more or less ritual utterances and actions. Birth is also a matter of bodies, the body in labor, the supporting body of the partner and the appearance of the body of the newborn. The thesis gives insight into how these bodies are managed and stylized in interaction. Further the thesis makes visible the midwife’s use of interactional resources to instill strength into the body of the woman in labor. The results are discussed in light of the socio-cultural circumstances for hospital birth in Sweden.

Thesis (M.A.) --University of Limpopo, 2013
Most people feel scared and ashamed when practising their rituals and using the relevant language. The aim of this study is to be an eye opener to make people to change their behaviour and attitude. They should be free to perform their rituals with pride and dignity and regard them as valuable. Qualitative method was used to gather the information and data in this research in which interviews were conducted. Males and females were visited at their homes from villages around Mamehlabe, Ngwanallela, gaSebotse, gaMashashane and only few were quoted. Their responses were transparent in a way that it is clear that the Northern Sotho people have their own way of using language and performing rituals. It is recommended that in the performance of rituals and language usage, a full explanation is needed to accumulate practical implementation. The society at large need to be educated in order to transfer the information to the younger generation.

This thesis frames the transition into motherhood as a rite of passage; proposes a new model for the rite of passage into motherhood based on the four seasons; and highlights the importance of contextual and specific ritual actions or sequences to navigate the transition. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with ten western women, from a middle class, Christian background, who had all become mothers through childbirth, are examined under three main headings. Firstly, the women’s experiences of their transition are explored using rites of passage theory as a lens. Although significant differences emerge, particularly from a gender perspective, important themes within the women’s experiences are highlighted, including the nature of relationships; the importance of support; journaling; and the telling of birthing stories. The influences of contemporary cultural aspects such as the medicalization of childbirth and myths about motherhood are also taken into account. Secondly, the field of ritual studies is explored in order to provide a framework in which to situate the women’s ritualizing. Existing rituals associated with motherhood are analysed and gaps are identified in existing Christian liturgical resources for this area, specifically for ritual actions or sequences marking motherhood as a rite of passage, and for the expression of birthing stories. A working definition of ritualizing is also established and the research findings are divided according to time frame, exploring the women’s ritualizing before birth, around birth and after birth. Thirdly, spirituality in relation to childbirth and the transition into motherhood is explored and its place within healthcare and theological literature examined. Nicola Slee’s theory on women’s faith development is used to draw out some of the patterns that emerge from the interviewees’ experiences, and the sacramental nature of birthing is considered. The thesis concludes with a critique of implications and associated suggestions for those within a church or healthcare context with responsibility for the pastoral and spiritual care of women during their transition into motherhood.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
A presente tese é um estudo sobre a transexualidade no Direito brasileiro. A partir de questões centrais ligadas à dignidade da pessoa humana o estudo analisa a construção do conceito da transexualidade ao longo da História, especialmente da História da Medicina, em busca de uma explicação do tratamento discriminatório que os transexuais são constantemente submetidos no meio social. Busca-se a origem da visão da transexualidade como algo anormal, doente, que precise de conserto, para então desconstruir esse estereótipo que se firmou com o tempo e que predomina até hoje, inclusive no meio jurídico. Os princípios constitucionais de Igualdade, Dignidade, e Direito à Intimidade são usados como base na elaboração de uma proposta de tratamento respeitoso às pessoas que apresentam esse comportamento tido como desviante, mas que nada mais é que a expressão de sua identidade. A ausência de atuação do Poder Legislativo, a atuação discrepante do Poder Judiciário em situações fáticas idênticas, e a insuficiência das medidas do Poder Executivo servem para mostrar a urgência do enfrentamento do tema pelo Direito pátrio. O exame de outros ordenamentos jurídicos é feito para a elaboração de sugestões para a superação enfrentada pelos problemas acima, especialmente no que diz respeito à mudança do registro civil.
The current thesis is a study about the transsexuality in the Brazilian Law. Based on central issues related to the dignity of the human person, the study analyzes the construction of the concept of transsexuality throughout history, especially of the Medicine History, searching for answers about the discriminatory treatment that the transsexuals are constantly submitted in the social environment. The origin of the vision of transsexuality is sought as something abnormal, sick, in need of repair, to finally deconstruct this stereotype that was established over time and that prevails nowadays, including in the legal environment. The constitutional principles of Equality, Dignity and the Right to Intimacy are used as the basis in the elaboration of a respectful treatment proposal to the people who present this behavior as deviant, but which is nothing more than the expression of its identity. The lack of actions of the Legislative Power, the discrepant action of the Judiciary in identical factual situations and the insufficiency of the Executive Power measures serve to show the urgency of the confrontation of the subject by the Brazilian Law. The examination of other legal systems is done for the elaboration of suggestions aiming the overcoming of the above problems, especially regarding the change of civil registry.

The principal objective of this study was to understand the Macedonian psyche, more specifically the cultural layer of the psyche that makes this group unique, using the insights of depth psychology. The study addressed the question regarding how the myths and rituals about birth and dying have contributed to the formation of cultural, national, and personal identity, and how the complex of the culture is deeply embedded in individual and group psyches. Taking a historical perspective on Macedonian identity, beliefs, and rituals, this study contributes to the discussion about the role of the archetypal, collective, cultural, and symbolic function of the psyche in the creation of identity and culture. Narrative inquiry was utilized in this study. Specifically, through the narratives of 4 participants, the psychic processes involved in the identity formation and change influenced by certain cultural forms, such as traditional beliefs and ritualistic practices, are described. Subsequently, by analyzing the mythical beliefs and investigating the archetypal material that lies in the heart of a culture, a cultural complex was identified and examined.

Seven themes discovered in this study along with the analysis of the myth, which mirrors the Macedonian group psyche, offer a comprehensive depth psychological understanding of the phenomenon of the Macedonian cultural complex of inferiority and smallness, explaining the bipolarity of the complex with its destructive and constructive manifestations in the group and individual behavior. A transgenerational trauma of oppression and continued grieving for the loss of a hero/father figure underlie the complex of inferiority and smallness.

The study concluded with the discussion about healing of the complex, illuminating psychology that strives to understand, experience, and consciously embrace the loss. An area in need of further depth perspective research is a cross-cultural inquiry regarding group complexes and their interaction between nations in volatile parts of the world, such as the Balkans.

Key Words: Cultural Complex, Jung, Myth, Ritual, Macedonia, Psyche, National Identity, Transgenerational Trauma, Depth Psychology.

Cilj: Svrha ovog istraživanja je da se odredi uticaj promena u funkciji, morfologiji i geometriji leve komore (LK) i odusustva očuvanog dnevno-noćnog profila krvnog pritiska (KP) na intrauterini zastoj u rastu fetusa (IUGR) i preterminsko završavanje trudnoće kod gestacijske hipertenzije (GH), reverzibilnost tih promena posle porođaja i povezanost GH sa prisustvom arterijske hipertenzije u porodici. Metodologija: U ovu studiju, koja je koncipirana kao prospektivna, uključeno je 90 trudnica, 30 normotenzivnih, 30 sa GH i dipping profilom KP i 30 sa GH i non-dipping profilom KP. Svim ispitanicama urađen je kompletan dvo-dimenzionalni, pulsni i tkivni Doppler ehokardiografski pregled i ambulatorni 24-h monitoring KP u trećem trimestru trudnoće i 6 nedelja posle porođaja. Rezultati i diskusija: U grupi trudnica sa GH značajno više su bili poremećeni parametri sistolne, dijastolne i globalne funkcije (EF, s’, E, A, E/A, E/e’, DTE, IVRT, IVCT, ET, Tei indeks, CO, CW, Ees), morfologije (IVSd, PLWd, RWT, masa miokarda, p<0,0005) i geometrije LK (abnormalna geometrija 67,7% vs 3,3% kod normotenzivnih, p<0,0005). Najizraženije promene bile su u podgrupi non-dippera. Posle porođaja registrovano je značajno popravljanje svih promenjenih ehokardiografskih parametara, a 96,7% ispitanica iz non-dipper podgrupe imale su očuvan dnevno-noćni ritam posle porođaja. U grupi sa GH utvrđeno je postojanje arterijske hipertenzije u porodici u 80% slučajeva u odnosu na 26,7% u kontrolnoj grupi (p<0,0005). Analizom rezultata utvrđeno je da su povećanje maksimalne vrednosti noćnog dijastolnog KP, indeksa mase miokarda i totalne vaskularne rezistence nezavisni prediktori IUGR-a, dok su povećanje prosečne vrednosti noćnog sistolnog KP i indeksa mase miokarda i smanjenje EF nezavisni prediktori preterminskog porođaja. Zaključak: Promene u funkciji i morfologiji leve komore i non-dipping profil KP kod GH imaju prognostički uticaj na pojavu IUGR-a i preterminsko završavanje trudnoće.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of changes in function, morphology, and geometry of the left ventricle (LV) and a non-dipping arterial blood pressure (BP) pattern on the intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm delivery in pregnant women with gestational hypertension (GH), reversibility of these changes after delivery and connection between BP in family with GH. Methods: This prospective study included 90 pregnant women, 30 normotensive, 30 with GH and dipping BP pattern and 30 with GH and non-dipping BP pattern. All participants underwent a complete two-dimensional, pulsed and tissue Doppler echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the third trimester and 6 weeks after delivery. Results and discussion: Participants with GH had more impaired parameters of the LV systolic, diastolic and global function (EF, s’, E, A, E/A, E/e’, DTE, IVRT, IVCT, ET, Tei index, CO, CW, Ees), morphology (IVSd, PLWd, RWT, myocardial mass, p<0,0005) and geometry (abnormal geometry 67,7% vs 3,3% in normotensive, p<0,0005). The greatest changes were noticed in non-dippers. All changed echocardiographic parameters became improved, while 96,7 % non-dipper participants became dipper after delivery. Arterial hypertension in family was present in 80% women with GH vs 26,7% in normotensive (p<0,0005). Analyses revealed that maximum night-time diastolic BP, mass index and total vascular resistance were identified as independent predictors of IUGR. Average systolic night-time BP, mass index and EF were identified as independent predictors of preterm delivery. Conclusion: Changes in LV function, morphology and geometry and a non-dipping pattern of BP in GH predicts IUGR and preterm delivery.

This study examines participants' perceptions of the significant messages and meanings communicated to them through the ceremony of the Blessingway (a ritual titled after the Navajo Blessingway), a contemporary women's birth ritual performed by midwives. A narrative approach was used for data gathering based on Fisher's rationale that meaning emerges through narrative. Fifteen women participated in open-ended interviews. Thirteen of the women identified themselves as midwifes. Four major themes emerged from the data: (1) interconnectivity, (2) care, (3) change, and (4) power. The results of the study show the Blessingway's role in communicating a group's care during a time of transformation, usually birth. Adoption, marriage, and entry into midwifery were also mentioned in the study as occasions for a Blessingway ritual. During a Blessingway, many levels of relationship intersect and emphasize the "web of connectedness" the women consider part of their lives. The continuous, multidimensional, and overlapping nature of interconnectivity defines the places of connection highlighted during the Blessingway ceremony. The sense of connectedness generates bonds of care--cohesion, nurturance and safety--and provides a "cocoon-like" environment. Once nurtured and protected, the women feel the support of their community. The women then resolve and transform the contradictions and ambiguities of their liminal state, acknowledge their value of self, recognize their own power, the power of their community, the power of the circle of women and the power of the archetypal woman.
Graduation date: 1997

This thesis deals with rituals connected with childbirth in Bohemia and Moravia since the 17th century to the present. The first chapter describes the word ritual, especially the transition ritual, which is understood as a necessary assumption enabling the transition from one stage of life to the other. The next chapter presents the family and its development across the centuries from the traditional conception until the modern one. The family also plays an important role in education and in the child's integration into society - this is discussed in the third chapter. The fourth chapter maps the rituals connected with childbirth adhered to in the past. The fifth chapter continues analyzing the situation about current rituals. The last chapter compares the situation about the implementation of rituals in the past with the situation nowadays. It is concluded with the authors own research, which was based on real data collection.

碩士
國立臺南藝術大學
民族音樂學研究所
96
The sacrificial ritual music in traditional folk belief temples is generally called shenyue(sacred music) in Southern Taiwan. It is one of religious ritual music, a unique music system accompanying with musical instruments. In Kaohsiung, it has a long history and heritage in the development. As time goes by, musical instruments and music scores used in early and present days are different. shenyue(sacred music) is an important part in ritual ceremony for deity affairs ; its functions are constructing and purifying ritual space, leading and distinguishing ritual sacred affects. It also breaks social hierarchical relationship and reshape a new communal relationship in a ritual space . Fongshan Chennan-Xiangong Temple which worships Lu Dongbin is a temple based on scriptures of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism and religious teachings of rites and music to believers. Since the time(1945) that Taiwan restored its sovereignty, there are four departments of Gods instruction, Classical religious doctrine, ritual music and propagating in operation to burden the missions of teaching and sacrificial ceremony. On the first and 15th day of every month in every lunar calendar year and deification anniversary, there are various ceremonies that need to use music to conjure up solemn the atmosphere. it is necessary to in order to achieve the mission and purpose of celebrating, for deity and pray for followers’ good fortune establish, a shenyue(sacred music) eusemble to perform in various occasions. In addition to traditional Confucian ritual music, the also combines Buddhism chanting prayers and becomes a sacrificial ritual music for the anniversary of major deity Lu . Based on theories of folk music, music sociology and religious ritual music, this study adopts the methods of participant observation and interview in field survey to collect data for analysis. I choose Fongshan Chennan-Xiangong Temple as scope of research. Research subject of this study focuses on ceremonial music of Lu Dongbin. The purpose of this study is to analyzes by ritual structure, content, style and meaning of ritual music. their functions on religious belief and social education in order to understand traditional heritage and changes of choral in Fongshan Chennan-Xiangong Temple, power and meaning of the sustainable development. Finally, I also make a few suggestions to help the members of shenyue(sacred music) to resolve their problems.

This dissertation aims at finding out the religious significance of Basotho ritual practices at births, weddings and funerals in Lesotho. The researcher combines literature review of scholars who have studied the Basotho socio-cultural life, with personal field study through dissemination of questionnaires, interviews and personal observations. Through this approach he finds out the various ritual practices that dot the Basotho life through the rites of passage, and then studies their religiousness in terms of traditional beliefs. He also finds out how these ritual practices have persisted in the face of Christian influence and western education, and how far they have been influenced. There is also an attempt to look into the importance of ancestor veneration in connection with Basotho beliefs and practices. The study reveals that the religious connotation of the ritual practices lies in how people seek transcendental meaning to life through the ritual practices.
Religious Studies & Arabic
M.A. (Religious Studies)

Ce mémoire de maîtrise vise à contribuer aux études rituelles et à l’anthropologie du sécularisme. Sur la base d’une recherche ethnographique menée au Québec, nous étudions la pratique des officiants de rites de passage séculiers qui opèrent en dehors de la religion organisée. Il s’agit de comprendre comment ceux-ci renouvèlent les rites de passage en dehors d’un appui ou d’une régulation institutionnels. Nous traitons des cérémonies de naissance et de mariage et cherchons spécifiquement à étudier comment ces célébrants, tels qu’ils se décrivent, recourent à l’innovation et à la créativité rituelle pour offrir des rites porteurs de sens dans un contexte social marqué par une hétérogénéité de sensibilités religieuses. En effet, les célébrants séculiers s’adressent à des individus distanciés de la religion instituée et doivent donc satisfaire leurs valeurs, croyances et visions du monde ainsi que celles des membres de leur entourage encore proches de la tradition catholique. Les résultats de cette recherche qualitative se basent sur un échantillon de dix célébrants séculiers établis au Québec et présentant une diversité d’approches et de contextes de pratique. La collecte de données est basée sur des entretiens semi-dirigés ainsi que des observations effectuées auprès d’eux. Cette étude montre que les célébrants les plus créatifs sont motivés par la dimension sociale et spirituelle de la célébration plutôt que par des motifs économiques. Même s’ils opèrent en atomes libres, ils s’inscrivent dans un nouveau paradigme rituel plus large observé par Catherine Bell (2009). Celui-ci est axé sur les éléments suivant : une conception du rite qui dépasse la frontière du religieux et devient un moyen universel d’épanouissement du soi et du collectif ; un rite de passage qui est conçu comme un processus transformationnel et réflexif pour les principaux participants; une fonction sociale du rite qui se manifeste dans la consolidation du relationnel et un registre d’authenticité alors que les croyances religieuses deviennent secondaires ; une autorité du célébrant qui diminue en faveur de celle des participants ; une dimension expérientielle et participative du rite qui est fortement investie.
This master thesis aims at making a contribution to ritual studies and the anthropology of secularism. The ethnographic research I present is based in Quebec and centers on new specialists of secular rites of passage, who are ritual makers that practice outside of organized religion. My central objective is to understand how these self-described celebrants creatively contribute to the practice of rites of passage, without relying purely on institutional support or regulation. The focus of this thesis is on birth and wedding ceremonies. I present how these celebrants use ritual innovation and creativity to offer meaningful rites in a social context marked by diversity with respect to different religious sensitivities. Indeed, secular celebrants direct their services toward people who are distanced from institutionalized religion and therefore must satisfy their values, beliefs and worldviews, in addition to elder members of the community that may still adhere to catholic traditions. The results of this qualitative research are based on a sample of ten secular celebrants operating in Quebec and displaying a variety of approaches to ritual making. The primary mode of data gathering is through semi-directed interviews and observational interactions with ritual practitioners. This study demonstrates that the social and spiritual dimensions of the wedding and birth celebrations drive the ritual celebrants, rather than purely economical motivations. Even though ritual makers may develop their practice independently from one another, the most innovative celebrants share traits and participate in a larger emerging ritual paradigm observed by Catherine Bell (2009). This paradigm is characterized by a vision where rites of passage are considered a universal means for the empowerment of the self and the community; rites of passage become a transformational as well as reflexive process for the core ritual participants; the social function of ritual is emphasized toward an ideal of authenticity whereas religious beliefs take a secondary importance; the ritual leader loses authority in favour of the participants; the experiential and participatory component of ritual are strongly invested.

Bearing in Mind: Birth, Fathers, Ritual, and 'Reproductive Consciousness' in Transpersonal Anthropological Perspective is an exploration of 'unusual' psychospiritual experiences among a small group of procreative fathering males in New Zealand and the viewing of these experiences through a transpersonal anthropological lens. I have used the transpersonal literature and the anthropological record, coupled with fieldwork among contemporary males to explore some of their more 'non-ordinary' responses to childbirth, paying close attention to the symbolic and therapeutic dimension implicated in their participation The term 'non-ordinary' pertains to NOSC or non ordinary states of consciousness (see glossary). Frequently their narratives suggest psychological encounters with death and transpersonal states of consciousness. This research examines these states of consciousness, the broad cultural context from which they arise and their relationship to birthing. Two basic themes are explored: 1) the social shaping of birth as a transpersonal event and ritual at the time fathers joined their partners in birthing during the late 1960s, and 2) an investigation of the transpersonal experience itself. Such phenomena have wide anthropological ramifications which opens a third theme for exploration: the possible parallels with more traditional, shamanistic, and/or indigenous midwifery and obstetrical manoeuvres (and therefore religion) – these parallels will be outlined and explored. This thesis relies heavily on a reinterpretation of the transpersonal and anthropological literature; however it is the fieldwork (gathering birth stories from men and women) that is crucial because it is the transpersonal content of their stories that drives the theoretical component.

The topic of this thesis is "Child and childhood in Vietnam". It focuses on the prenatal and the early period of childhood. The thesis uses a cultural anthropological point of view which emphasizes superstitious or taboo behaviour associated with the time of birth - pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium and child care. For the purposes of the thesis, the research was conducted in the north-east urban areas of Northern Vietnam. Since the myths, taboos and rituals tends to change, develop or even perish, it was necessary to limit the topic in terms of time. Therefore the work studies only three generations of Vietnamese women over a sixty-year period. The thesis is based not only on relevant literature but also on the field research conducted in Vietnam. The interviews and unobtrusive observation carried out among involved women extend the information gained from literature and also provide the women's personal point of view on childbirth and early childcare issues. The main objective is to answer how much the so-called "child's world" has changed in the three-generation period and to what extent the rituals, myths and taboos are still relevant to current issues in contemporary Vietnam. Key words: Vietnam, children, childhood, Vietnamese family, birth, child care, taboo, rituals, superstitions.

The thesis seeks to explain the sexual passages of women related to fertility, such as menstruation, pregnancy and birth, in the ancient Egyptian world. The passages related to fertility have strong connotations with death in the Egyptian mythological context. The aim of the thesis is to understand this relationship, often metaphorically conveyed in iconography or in the netherworld literature. The thesis collects material from various sources, archeological, textual, iconographical, not only Egyptian, but also Greek and Roman. The methods used vary from cognitive linguistics and semiotic analysis to religious anthropology. Menstruation, pregnancy and birth in ancient Egypt are explained not only on the level of the understanding of the body of the Egyptians, but also in terms of what role they play in iconography and mythology. Furthermore, the relationship between birth and death is made with regards to fertility. The basic findings of this thesis consist of illustrating a dichotomy between the feminine nurturing principle of and masculine creative principle which appear in different contexts related to birth and death: in iconography, on the level of bodily fluids, or in mythological creation.

Tese de Doutoramento em Psicologia na especialidade de Psicologia Intercultural apresentada à Universidade Aberta
Ao longo dos anos tem ocorrido, em Timor-Leste, um processo de intensificação dos contactos interculturais, quer entre timorenses pertencentes a diferentes grupos etnolinguísticos, quer entre timorenses e outros povos, alguns dos quais exercendo autoridade. Apesar das transformações operadas na sociedade a diversos níveis, subsistem algumas das suas instituições e valores tradicionais. O presente estudo, de cariz etnográfico, tem como objectivos de investigação descrever e comparar crenças, atitudes e práticas de saúde reprodutiva de timorenses pertencentes a diferentes grupos etnolinguísticos de Timor-Leste; e identificar modificações no comportamento de saúde reprodutiva dos timorenses, resultantes do contacto entre culturas. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, descritivo e comparativo, que tem por base uma metodologia qualitativa. O trabalho de campo foi efectuado em dez dos treze distritos de Timor-Leste, em meio rural e urbano, e abrangeu onze grupos etnolinguísticos. Mediante um processo de amostragem em cadeia, tipo “bola de neve”, foram recolhidos dados provenientes de informadores privilegiados, profissionais de saúde prestadores de cuidados de saúde reprodutiva, parteiras tradicionais, mulheres e casais com filhos. A recolha de dados foi efectuada com recurso a entrevistas exploratórias e semi-estruturadas, à observação directa e participante e à observação fotográfica e fílmica. Na análise dos dados foi utilizada a técnica da análise de conteúdo. Concluímos que a cultura exerce uma forte influência sobre o comportamento das mulheres e famílias desde a concepção até ao período pós-parto. Existe uma grande diversidade etnolinguística/cultural em Timor-Leste, e muitas das crenças e práticas relativas à saúde reprodutiva não são generalizáveis a todo o país. A fecundidade é elevada e há uma preferência generalizada por famílias numerosas, com curtos intervalos entre nascimentos e baixo recurso à contracepção. Apesar da implementação dos programas de planeamento familiar, primeiro pela Indonésia, e mais recentemente pelo Governo timorense, muitas mulheres têm falta de acesso a informação e a métodos contraceptivos. Factores de ordem sociocultural exercem, por sua vez, grande influência a este nível. Há determinadas recomendações, tabus e restrições que rodeiam a mulher grávida, que visam proteger a mãe e o feto de danos físicos. A maior parte das mulheres recorre à consulta pré-natal dos estabelecimentos de saúde, mas também há muitas que consultam a parteira tradicional quando têm problemas durante a gravidez, para que ela verifique se o bebé está em boa posição, corrigindo-a se considerar necessário, ou para determinar o seu sexo. Há uma preferência generalizada pelo parto em casa, sendo geralmente assistido por familiares ou pela parteira tradicional. O período pós-parto envolve uma série de procedimentos baseados na permanência da mãe com o recém-nascido em casa, seguindo determinadas prescrições e restrições alimentares, e na aplicação de calor sob diversas formas. Actualmente, mantém-se a prática de diversos rituais tradicionais associados ao nascimento, apresentando variações regionais.
Over the years, a process of development of intercultural contacts has occurred in East Timor, both between Timorese belonging to different ethnic and language groups and between Timorese and other people, some of them being in a position of authority. Despite the changes occurred in society at various levels, some of its institutions and traditional values still remain. The investigation purpose of this study, which is of an ethnographic nature, is to describe and compare beliefs, attitudes and practices relating to reproductive health in respect of Timorese people belonging to different ethnic and language groups in East Timor, as well as to identify changes in the reproductive health behaviour of Timorese resulting from the contact between cultures. This study has an exploratory, descriptive and comparative character and the methodology used was of a qualitative nature. The field study was carried out in ten of the thirteen districts of East Timor, in rural and urban environments, and covered eleven ethnic and language groups. Data was collected from key informants, health professionals providing reproductive healthcare, traditional midwives and women and couples with children, through a snowball chain sampling procedure. The gathering of data was carried out by means of exploratory semi-structured interviews, direct and participant observation, and photographic and cinematographic observation. Content analysis was the procedure used for the analysis of the collected data. We concluded that culture has a strong influence on the behaviour of women and families from conception to the period after childbirth. There is a great ethnic and language / cultural diversity in East Timor and many beliefs and practices relating to reproductive health are not present in the whole country. The fertility rate is high and large families are generally preferred, with short intervals between births and little use of contraceptive methods. Despite the implementation of family planning programmes firstly by Indonesia and more recently by the Timorese government, many women do not have access to information and contraceptive methods. In turn, some factors of a social and cultural nature also have a great influence at this level. There are certain advices, taboos and restrictions relating to pregnant women, which aim at protecting the mother and the foetus from physical damage. The majority of women go to prenatal care appointments at healthcare institutions, but there are also many others who seek a traditional midwife when they have problems during pregnancy, so that she will verify whether the baby is in a good position and correct it if deemed necessary, or determine its gender. Home birth is generally preferred, the woman being usually assisted by relatives or by a traditional midwife. The postnatal period involves a series of procedures based on the home confinement of both mother and newborn, following certain recommendations and food restrictions, and the application of heat in various manners. Several traditional rituals associated with birth are still performed nowadays, with regional variations.

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Português Língua Não Materna (PLNM) - Português Língua Estrangeira (PLE) e Língua Segunda (PL2)
Este estudo consistiu na recolha e análise de informações relativas a dois dos momentos mais significativos da vida humana - o nascimento e a morte. A sua realização baseou-se na pesquisa bibliográfica e na realização de um "estudo de caso" em que se fez uma investigação empírica, tendo por base a distribuição de inquéritos a um público-alvo constituído pelos alunos dos Cursos de Português Língua Estrangeira (PLE) do BabeliUM – Centro de Línguas da Universidade do Minho. O trabalho envolveu 44 estudantes, oriundos de 24 países diferentes, divididos por quatro grupos linguístico-culturais: grupo africano, grupo asiático, grupo americano e grupo europeu. O principal objetivo desta investigação foi analisar a forma como diferentes culturas percecionam os processos de nascimento e de morte. O nosso propósito também foi estudar os rituais de nascimento e de morte, bem como as lendas, mitos ou superstições relacionados com esses processos. As informações recolhidas permitiram realizar uma análise comparativa da qual emergem dados sobre a atitude dos alunos em relação aos processos de nascimento e de morte; as suas reações face a esses temas; as tendências gerais dos países de origem dos inquiridos; e ainda as semelhanças e as singularidades na perceção dos dois processos por indivíduos oriundos de culturas diferentes. Trata-se de um estudo que pretende dar um contributo válido para um melhor conhecimento das especificidades das diversas culturas envolvidas, favorecendo assim a assunção de atitudes positivas por parte de todos quantos se movem em contextos multiculturais como são, habitualmente, os de ensino-aprendizagem do Português como língua estrangeira (PLE).
This thesis consisted of collection and analysis of information related to two most important moments of human life: birth and death. Its realization was based on bibliographic research and elaboration of “case studies” through an empiric investigation, based on distribution of a questionnaire to target groups (students of Portuguese Language Courses for Foreigners at BabeliUM - Language Center at the University of Minho). 44 students from 24 countries were involved in this work and they were divided into four linguistic and cultural groups: a European, an American, an African and an Asian group. The main goal of this research was to analyze the way different cultures understand the process of birth and death. Another aim was to study birth and death rituals, as well as legends, myths and superstitions related to these processes. The information we have collected let us realize a comparative analysis that reveals data concerning student’s attitude in relation to processes of birth and death; their reactions to these topics; general tendencies in respondent’s birth countries; similarities and distinctions in perception of these two processes in different cultures. It is the matter of a study that pretends to make a good contribution for a better understanding of specific differences in various cultures. It acts in favor of assuming positive attitude in relation to all the people who stay in multicultural contexts as, for example, students of the course “Portuguese Language for Foreigners”.
Данное исследование заключается в сборе и анализе информации о двух наиболее значимых моментах человеческой жизни - рождении и смерти. Его реализация основывалась на библиографическом и социологическом исследованиях, последнее из которых заключалось в раздаче анкет целевой аудитории (студенты курсов португальского языка как иностранного в BabeliUM - центр изучения языков при университете Минью). В исследовании приняли участие 44 студента из 24 стран, разделенных на четыре языковые и культурные группы: европейская группа, американская группа, африканская группа и азиатская группа. Основной целью данного исследования было проанализировать, как различные культуры понимают процессы рождения и смерти. Нашей целью было также изучение ритуалов рождения и смерти, как и легенд, мифов или суеверий, связанных с этими процессами. Собранная информация позволила провести сравнительный анализ, чьи данные, в свою очередь, способствовали выявлению отношения студентов к рождению и смерти; их реакции на данные темы; общих тенденций в странах происхождения респондентов; а также сходств и различий в восприятии этих двух процессов в различных культурах. Эта работа имеет целью внести значительный вклад в улучшение понимания специфики различных культур, задействованных в исследовании, благоприятствуя тем самым позитивному отношению со стороны всех, кто находится в поликультурном контексте, таком как, как правило, лекции португальского языка как иностранного (ПКИ).