Traveling back in time and remembering my roots.
by Dita Schuerman, CCD Doula Mentee
I thought about sharing a little story about the colorful shawl called a rebozo. This colorful shawl is one of the many symbols of Mexico, because of its colors, uses and the way women could make out of this garment a proud symbol of their nationality.
I remember when I was around four or five years old, my grandmother would teach women in the neighborhood the many uses and benefits of using a rebozo. Rebozos are very inexpensive and can be worn in many ways, such as folded or wrapped around the head or upper body to provide shade from the sun, to provide warmth when the temperatures are cold and as a part of an accessory to any outfit.
Indigenous women use rebozos to carry their babies and heavy objects. This reminds me of a young beautiful indigenous woman who used visit my house every Wednesday. She used to sell avocados from the trees her father planted years ago and would bring two heavy baskets full of avocados tied on her back with a rebozo. She used to tell me that by tying the rebozo around her waist and between her arms, the big heavy baskets weren’t as heavy, and her back was safe from injures as the rebozo helped distribute the weight of those big and heavy baskets. It almost seemed like a big backpack.
I remember my aunts carrying their newborn babies with a rebozo. My grandma used to say that it was beneficial for the mother since the rebozo would help distribute the baby’s weight evenly and the mother’s back would not be in pain. It would also allow togetherness and bonding between mother and child. Besides that, if properly wrapped. It would allow the young mothers to have free hands to carry their extra bags or hold hands with their other children while the newborn sleep safe and sound. My grandma also mentioned that mothers who use rebozo with their newborns would notice their baby’s spine become stronger in less time than babies whose mothers chose to not benefit by using a rebozo.
I am studying to become a birth doula and nowadays I have seen the use of rebozo as a comfort measure and position tool for pregnancy and childbirth. The rebozo can be used with the help of the person’s labor support as a comfort measure and it can also help the baby move into an optimal position when used in specific ways. Nonetheless, rebozo is one of those things that brings me good memories of early teachings. As I learn and study for my new and exciting career as a doula, it brings me joy to discover how helpful it can be for pregnant women and people, and that I get to utilize its benefits with women of different backgrounds and beliefs.
This is a picture of my sister in law Pamela. Ahe and my 3-month-old little niece live in Mexico City and she decided to utilize the benefits of rebozo. She says her back is not in pain and she does notice how the baby holds her back straight and her spine is getting stronger every day.
Have you ordered your rebozo yet?