The Maternal Realm: likoa (baby girl) and saugaaw (baby boy)

Abstract

When a baby is born on Lamotrek, relatives and clan mates, as well as friends of the parents gather and prepare for a celebration. The women may have already stayed with the new mother (see Picture 1.6) during labour, and will now go to the taro patch to gather taro and prepare (see Picture 1.7) and cook the food for the mother, and also for close family members and attendants. Thus, for four days after the birth, some of the women will always be around the house of mother and baby (who are supposed to rest) to look after food preparation and household chores. Others will prepare, for instance, a pot of sweet taro at home and send it to the new mother or combine the food gift with a visit. The men will go out fishing together and unite their efforts for a big catch which can hopefully serve the mother and her family, but also all the fishermen’s families.