Breast Feeding and Sexuality

Mara Mabilia teaches at the Intercultural Studies Master's Programme as well as Cultural Anthropology with a sub-field in Cooperation and Development at the Faculty of Education, both at University of Padua. She also lectures in other Postgraduate programmes (University of Brescia and University of Rome). She prepares doctors who serve as volunteers in Africa at C.U.A.M.M. Doctors with Africa - International College for Health Cooperation in Developing Countries, Padua.

“This volume is exemplary in the field of anthropological research…The writing style is clear and reflective…I recommend Breastfeeding and Sexuality for those interested in Tanzanian maternal–child health practices, cross-cultural studies, anthropological research methods, breast-feeding and women’s experiences.”  ·  Journal of Biosocial Science"...the book is to be highly recommended."  ·  JRAI

• AcknowledgementsIllustrationsIntroductionChapter 1. CigongweTowards the villageMeeting with the villageFieldworkThe route of the researchChapter 2. The Gogo WomenThe living spaceThe houseNyumba: physical-residential unit, social-residential unitThe Gogo womanChapter 3. Breast FeedingBreast feeding between nature and cultureThe modalities of breast feedingBreast milk‘Bad milk’ in only one breastChapter 4. The ‘Good Mother’, the ‘Bad Mother’: Diarrhoea as a Sign of Social DisorderInside the problemMotherhood and motheringThe health of the newborn: a challenge to survivalPost-partum taboosChapter 5. Maternal Milk: Indicator of ‘Good Mother’Breast feeding: a bridge between the different levels of the Gogo social systemThe woman: mother and nurturerA brief return to the villageBibliographyIndex