Voices of Maya Midwives

This original field study is an oral history project that tells the stories of six traditional Maya midwives from the Mam area of Guatemala. The midwives interviewed are from in and around the town of Concepcion Chiquirichapa, Guatemala. Part one explains the motivation behind this project, the methodology used, and my reflections and analysis. Part Two provides the broader context of Maya healing traditions and the issue of high maternal mortality rates in Guatemala and their relationship to midwifery care. Part Three contains the stories of six midwives who were interviewed in or near their homes in March of 2004. Part three also contains seven profiles of individual plants that are used medicinally by the midwives and women of Concepcion Chiquirichapa. There are additional profiles of the temascal (traditional Mesoamerican sweatbath) and the jabon negro (a black soap made by women in the community.)