Birth taboos

Abstract

The concern with the processes of human reproduction and with the propagation of the species can be seen in the very first works of art which emerge from the mists of pre-history, authentic examples of which are to be found in Malta. This can be seen in the squat, female figurines excavated from archaeological sites in Malta. These figurines help us to infer that fertility has always been a basic human concern. This concern in its turn led to various precautionary practices and prohibitions, spells and incantations, things to be done and things to be avoided at all costs. Most of these activities are of a taboo character. As far as they are related to the supernatural, we can call them religious practices, although during this early period there was no real distinction between magic and religion. Some of the attitudes have persisted down to our days.