There are many different cultures that make up the population of the Hawaiian Islands. We encounter many of these different cultures on a daily basis, whether in the health care system or out. To better understand these different cultures, it is important to learn more about their cultural beliefs and traditions.
The Hispanic population, which includes, Puerto Ricans, Spanish, and Latinos just to name a few, make up an integral part of our islands. The following information on cultural beliefs, customs, and traditions were obtained by various interviews with people of Hispanic descent.
Pregnancy:
It is believed that an eclipse will harm the growing fetus of a pregnant woman. To protect the child, a metal object, such as keys, are strung on a safety pin. The safety pin is then clipped to the woman's shirt so that the keys are over her abdomen. The metal will protect her baby.
A mother is told to stay off her feet during pregnancy and get plenty of rest.
Cucumbers were not to be eaten. This would cause too much gas and the baby would be born colicky. Spicy foods were not to be eaten or the baby would be uncomfortable.
One way to determine the sex of the child, was by the shape of the mother's stomach. If her belly was round, it would be a girl. If her stomach was pointy, it would be a boy. Another way to determine sex was by placing a ring from the mother on the end of a string and holding it over her stomach. If the string moved in a circle, the baby would be a girl. If the string rocked back and forth, it would be a boy.
Sex is continued throughout pregnancy. It is thought that a woman will have an easier time during labor. A man will have sex with his partner while she is beginning to go into labor. It is thought that the man's sperm causes dilation and softening of the cervix.
Labor and Delivery:
In the hospital in Spain, everyone has social security. All people have Medical Insurance. Taxes are taken monthly from peoples wages, but the government covers everyone's medical costs. Long ago, women gave birth at home.
In Spain, men/husbands are not allowed in the delivery room. The doctor feels that the significant other causes more distraction. The doctor wants the woman to concentrate. Only the doctor and nurses are present.
Post Partum:
In Spain, if a woman has a vaginal birth, she stays in the hospital for three days. If she has a cesarean birth, she stays in the hospital for one week.
Men don't usually help with baby care. It is generally up to the individual, but it is still believed that baby care is a woman's job.
In Spain, soon after the baby is born, it is baptized in the hospital's chapel. All baby girls are baptized "Maria", and they all have that name on the baptismal certificates, but not on legal documents. They are baptized Maria after the virgin mothers' name. After the baby is baptized, a black bracelet is put on the baby's wrist. This is to keep the "Mal de ojo" (evil spirits) away.
It is thought that if you take the dried umbilical cord, burn it, then put it in a drink of an alcoholic person, without his/her knowledge, this would stop that person from drinking.
It is customary to take the dried umbilical cord, wrap it in a cloth and bury it deep in the ground. It had to be deep so that the spirits could not get to it. If they did, they could do harm to the child.
After giving birth, the woman should stay in the house for forty days. She should stay off her feet. The baby should also stay in the house during this period. If there was a doctors appointment or you needed to step out of the house, the mother and baby had to cover themselves from head to toe.
No showers or tub baths are taken during this time. Sponge baths are allowed. Mothers are not allowed to wash their hair.
If someone is on their period and compliments the baby, that person has to touch the baby. If they don't touch the baby, the baby can get "Ojo", which means eye in English. If this happens, you have to say a prayer and massage the baby. During the prayer, you would get an egg, crack it into a bowl and place it under the baby's crib. When the ojo is gone, the egg turns into the shape of an eye.
Loud noises are discouraged around the baby. A loud noise such as the slamming of a door, could cause the soft spot on the baby's head to collapse. (like slamming the oven door when you are baking a cake) If this happens, you would take the baby, turn him/her upside down by grabbing its' legs and pound the bottom of the feet. This will pop the soft spot back out. Then you massage the baby's body.
When the baby is lying down and looks up towards the head of the crib, there is a tendency for the eyes to get crossed. When this happens, you get a bright colored piece of string, wet it, and place it across the bridge of the child's nose. The baby will then keep his/her eyes straight.
If baby gets the hiccups, get a tiny piece of paper, wet it and stick it to his/her forehead. This is said to cure the hiccups.
These customs and traditions vary from individual to individual. While some of these practices still exists, others may not be as well known or practiced.
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Updated October 7, 2005
