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So Janaki discussed the!se customs during the Tuesday meeting:.
'W ..Vhen one of us s amp!.-e' ( clurinrj
chldbi:th,
menistruation
hold. or
or
after
when lightning piecon N flashes, ,or or someone has fits fits, we wej
hold aipiece ot ron in our h ,nd or throw itin front of the
r / house. Why i., that?"
"It isto protect us from sandhIi-the evil spirits."
"When a chicken dies suddenly, we
cook it with apiece or ircn in the
pot. Why?"
"To purify it from visna-poison."
"Yes," said Janaki. "We all know iron has guna-the power to protect and
purify. This isalso true inside the body. Iron mnkes the blood red and strong. We
can see by the red color of our tongues and fingernails that our blood isstrong, If
the blood isweak, these are pale, not red."
The women began to examine
each others' tongues and fingernaiis,
Soon they became concerned.
"Some of us have very weak bood,
they said. "WQ need quna to purify
and piece protect of iron?" us .Should we ho!d a
U !
"
"Iron will help, explained
Janaki, "but only when it is inside
us. There /
are plan'cs
.
that are rich in
iron, What plants do we give
to
in
girls
t,a
when they begin to have monthly oieeding, or before rriarriage, to increase
their blood and beauty?"
"Fenugreek and sesame seed!" said the women.
"Yes," said Janaki. "These plants are rich in iron. So we should eat them
during pregnancy, to strengthen our blood."
"What other foods are rich !n iron?" the mothers asked eagerly. Janaki had
already told them many times. But this was the first rine they had shown real
interest and asked for the informatori theniseves.
As the weeks and months went by, more and more women came to the Tuesday
discussions. Each week they examined each others' tonguesa;nd fingernails. Arid
changes began to take place. They had dir.cover;d th;t thtogune in the iron-rich
foods strengthened their blood. The, also had L:.,gun to eal more so that they
and their babies, througlh dhat, would gain nroe strength arid harmony.
Today, eating well during prognancv has become part of the traidirio in
Mumabundo, Babies are born healthier. And fewer women die inchildbirth.
"
13-3
,)