'This is traditional, this is not Islamic': Perceiving some Swahili childbirth and child-rearing beliefs and practices in light of mila (custom) and dini (religion)

This thesis is about pregnancy and childbirth beliefs and practices among the Swahili people of Lamu, a predominantly Muslim town located on Lamu Island off the coast of Kenya. My research establishes that Swahili people of Lamu, who are Sunni Muslims, explain pregnancy and childbirth beliefs and practices both in terms of mila (custom) and dini (religion). In addition to distinguishing beliefs and practices as rooted in either Swahili or Islamic tradition, some individuals categorize certain beliefs and practices as unorthodox or even anti-Islamic. A chapter about the history of Lamu in relation to the rest of the East African coast is also included in this thesis. This is followed by ethnographic description of Lamu practices related to pregnancy and childbirth beliefs. In addition to describing and documenting these practices, this thesis demonstrates that beliefs and practices associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and early child-rearing allow new mothers in Lamu Town to perform and assert their identity both as adult Swahili women and as pious Muslims. This thesis is also a documentation of cultural traditions related to pregnancy and childbirth that are changing or vanishing in present-day Lamu---such as the use of the kinyago (the effigy utilized to drive away owls that are believe to cause infants to fall ill.). Concerns regarding population control, family planning, and women's health have long highlighted the agendas of development and human rights organizations in East Africa. My literature review, however, reveals relevant documentation of pregnancy and childbirth beliefs and practices among Swahili societies is scarce. My thesis addresses this need by using ethnographic methods and research perspectives to document these beliefs and practices as they now exist in Lamu Town.