Paper Short Abstract:

The report highlights how childbirth rituals in 19th and early 20th century Russia, reported by urban observers with biased views lead to misconceptions about rural practices. It argues that understanding the lifeworld of villagers offers a more accurate perspective. Narratives from village doctors and residents reveal a different reality of childbirth. The report is based on field interviews taken from 1990 to 2023 in the Russian North.

Paper Abstract:

Childbirth rituals are repeatedly mentioned in the descriptions of Russian ethnographic sources from the 19th century and early 20th century. Such descriptions were almost always conveyed through the lens of an educated urban correspondent; their assessments and way of perception were often characterized by bias. In their opinion, villagers did not follow hygienic standards, gave birth in dark and dirty premises, did not provide proper care for the child, and so forth.

However the lifeworld (in terms of Alfred Schutz) of villagers differed from the practices and knowledge of ethnographers that were acquired in the city. As such we are inclined to believe that such perception may distort the actual state of affairs. The interpretation of rituals can be different if we turn to the personal experiences of both local residents and medical assistants practicing in the village.

Narratives told by village doctors reveal a different picture of the childbirth ritual. In our report, we will consider the childbirth ritual through the relationships between practicing doctors, midwives, and patients in northern Russian villages of the past century. The report is based on field interviews with men and women conducted in the Vologda and Arkhangelsk regions during the period from 1990 to 2023.