Somali Knowledge Attitude Practices Study (KAPS) - EthnoMed

In the riverine community, consumption of beans, meat, vegetables and eggs are encouraged to
help build blood and prevent anaemia during pregnancy. Consumption of fat (ghee) and mutton
as well as honey during the first 2-3 months of pregnancy is however discouraged because the
foods are believed to cause abortion. Fats/ghee, particularly from sheep, potatoes, and fresh cow
milk should be avoided as they are believed to make the baby to grow too big, hence difficult
delivery. According to some women in Hiran, consumption of too much salt and hot pepper is
also not advisable due to their low nutritional value and the belief that they cause anaemia in
pregnant women.
In the urban livelihood zones of South and Central Somalia, chicken, eggs, milk powder,
vegetables and meat are considered healthy foods for a pregnant mother as seen in Table 1.
Women should however eat these foods in moderation to avoid having big babies during delivery.
Table 1: Foods Consumed and Prohibited during Pregnancy by Livelihood Zones
Livelihood Food Items Allowed for
Zone
Consumption
Pastoral Sour Milk, rice, Sorghum.
Meat and fresh milk are only
allowed in moderation
Agro-pastoral Sour milk, meat, fruits,
vegetables, soor, sour milk
Riverine Meat, Eggs, Beans,
Vegetables
Urban Chicken, meat, vegetables
and milk
19
Food Items Prohibited
Fresh milk, vegetables, fruits, mutton, liver,
meat from camel’s hump or plenty of meat to
avoid birth complications due to big babies.
Fresh camel’s milk, eggs, liver. Honey, camel
hump and fat and mutton and are believed to
cause abortion or bleeding.
Fat (ghee) and meat from ram and honey
during the first 2-3 months of pregnancy.
These foods are believed to cause abortion
Although protein foods of chicken, meat and
milk are encouraged, they should be eaten in
moderation.
Post-natal Dietary Practices
Among the pastoralists, a mother traditionally received post-natal care from her mother for a
period of 40 days after delivery. During the 40 days period, traditionally known as Umol Bah, a
goat or sheep was slaughtered and the meat dried and kept for her to eat. Her mother also
prepared and encouraged her to drink porridge enriched with milk, a lot of tea with milk, and eat
honey, liver and kidney, head of goat, nutritious soup and sesame oil. The special diet was
expected to help replace the blood lost during delivery and aid in quick recovery for the mother.
Due to war and disintegration of the traditional family networks, the Umol Bah period has
reduced to 7-10 days and lactating mothers are encouraged to feed on whatever food is prepared
for the rest of the family.
The agro-pastoralists encourage women, after delivery, to eat food from family pot but with extra
meat, porridge and soup. Among the riverine community, after delivery, a woman is encouraged
to drink enriched porridge with oil, milks, butter, and mutton for nourishment. Consumption of
fish during the 1 st month after delivery is discouraged in the riverine as it is associated with poor
maternal health.
In urban areas, after delivery, the woman’s mother or any close relative was traditionally
expected to stay with her for one month or 40 days (Umol Bah) to ensure that she feeds well and