Paper short abstract:

This paper gives a first-hand account of the indigenous therapeutic involvement of Yoruba female elders of south western Nigeria in the post natal treatment of mothers and their newly delivered infants. The important position of the female dominated Yoruba indigenous non-consultative health care pattern is usually overlooked in discussions relating to modern day health enterprises.The paper notes that this traditional health care practice of body pressing nuances the dual conception of health, first as `well being' and then as `cosmetic'.

Paper long abstract:

The paper notes that despite the modernity that has brought with it unimpeded contact with foreign cultures, the long term practice of hot water body pressing (ara jijo) as a form of cultural body maintenance has persisted among the Yoruba till the present time. The paper notes with interest that this indigenous traditional health care practice of body pressing nuances the dual conception of health, first as `well being' and then as `cosmetic'. Usually dispensed by older female members of the family, hot water body pressing is believed by the Yoruba to carry with it, the essence of rejuvenation that ensures physical fitness as well as good carriage, following the stress of child delivery. Emphasis is given in the paper concerning the two categories of the recipients of ara jijo, an aspect that draws attention to the health related traditional believes surrounding the newly born child and the newly delivered mother. On the whole, the paper highlights the important position of the female dominated Yoruba indigenous non-consultative health care pattern that is usually overlooked in discussions relating to modern day health enterprises.