by Naomie Karemi K. Kaingu (Author), Charlotte Thomson-Morley (Illustrator), Nyevu M. Mazia Mkongo (Tribute to)
When visiting new parents, we often forget that things have not settled yet, mentally and spiritually. We overlook the spiritual aspects concerning birth and the vital adjustments in these fragile moments because the focus remains on the bump, not the moments after. When we step foot into the space of a postpartum family, we need to know that many clouds exist within that home.
It does not have to be sad because not all pregnancies are of misery and pain, but a 'void' is present in the first few weeks a family welcomes a new baby. Life as we know it is not a bed of roses, and being healthy is not a given. Birth is hard work, and recuperating is vital.
For many, there may be struggles and 'layers within. In my native country, Kenya, we say that a child born within the family is a returning ancestor. When the returning ancestor returns, there needs to be a moment to adjust within the community, and therefore, connections within the community are revived again. Hence our hold on family names.