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The woman gives birth either seated on a very low stool or standing upright, supporting herself at a post or beam. She is assisted by several respected matrons. When the child is born, before the umbilical cord is cut, it is put in contact with the earth, which it is made to touch with its four limbs. It is in touching the earth that the newborn child takes possession of its souls.
- Source: Palau MartÃ, Monserrat. The Dogon. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1957.
- Culture: Dogon
- Location: Africa