Omugwo

Understanding Omugwo

Omugwo is a cultural practice aimed at lifting the burden of a new mother upon the arrival of a newborn. After childbirth, a new mother is assisted by her mother or another close relative, who undertakes household tasks, infant care and support and care for the new mother. Omugwo offers a much-needed helping hand during this transformational period for the family, providing social, physical, and emotional support, which helps to alleviate the stress of new motherhood, making it a more pleasant journey.

Nigeria grapples with one of the highest infant mortality rates globally, a crisis significantly attributed to insufficient postpartum care. Access to quality healthcare remains a major challenge in many rural areas and occasionally in urban areas. Often overwhelmed by patient volumes, general hospitals lack the necessary resources, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes. Financial constraints compound this issue, as many families cannot afford private hospital care. In response, many parents turn to locally trained midwives or rely on maternal figures for mother and child care. This traditional approach, while critical, varies in effectiveness and is not a substitute for professional medical care. However, this practice plays a vital role in bridging the healthcare accessibility gap, ensuring mothers and infants receive essential early-stage post-delivery care. In the absence of robust professional support systems 'Omugwo' becomes not just a cultural practice but a necessity.

Initially, Omugwo involved the new mother's mother, or a close female relative, visiting her home for an extended period, typically three months. This visit is focused on providing comprehensive care, from cooking nutritious meals to imparting childcare knowledge to taking on other responsibilities the new mother already bears. In recent times, the practice has evolved. Often, after the maternal grandmother's stay, the paternal grandmother may come for an additional three-month period. This extension reflects a deep commitment to postpartum care, effectively providing the new mother with six months of continuous support. Also, the community’s role becomes even more pivotal when a new mother is without her mother or a mother-in-law. Neighbours might step in, embracing the adage “it takes a village to raise a child." In such instances, community members may visit daily to assist with tasks like bathing the newborn and providing meals, demonstrating a collective approach to childcare.

The practice varies across different parts of the country. In rural areas, Omugwo typically adheres to more traditional patterns. There is a pronounced emphasis on communal involvement, with neighbours and extended family members actively supporting the new mother. This may include cooking, caring for the new mother’s older children, or providing emotional support and companionship. In urban settings, the practice adapts to the realities of modern life; work commitments and nuclear family living arrangements often result in a less communal approach. Despite these regional and urban-rural differences, the essence of Omugwo remains the same: providing essential support to new mothers and fostering a healthy start for newborns.

The extent and nature of this support can also vary significantly, particularly between the first childbirth and subsequent ones. First-time mothers typically receive extensive support, often involving multiple family members staying with them one after the other. However, for subsequent births, the level of support usually decreases, recognizing the mother's increased experience. The duration of stay by caregivers might be shorter, such as a month, reflecting the mother's growing familiarity with childcare. However, this may vary from family to family.

Importance and Benefits of Omugwo

1. Support Network: Motherhood can be a lonely journey, at times leading to depression. Omugwo plays a vital role in supporting new mothers, particularly in mitigating postpartum depression (PPD) by fostering a robust support network involving the maternal and paternal grandmothers, extended family, and community members. These caregivers offer hands-on care, emotional support and share child-rearing wisdom. This holistic approach is key in preventing and reducing the incidence of PPD, ensuring the mother's well-being, and alleviating feelings of loneliness and being overwhelmed.
2. Transfer of Wisdom: During Omugwo, a new mother learns valuable skills in childcare from the experienced mother, which she will practice once Omugwo is over.
3. Physical recovery: Childbirth takes a toll on a woman’s body. Omugwo allows the new mother adequate time to recover, knowing her baby is safe and cared for.

Formalized philanthropy often focuses on financial donations to causes and organizations. Omugwo, which reflects one expression of African Philanthropy, centers on direct, hands-on practical aid. This type of giving entails not just money but the investment of time, knowledge, skills, and emotional care.  In a time when self-interest often outshines community, Omugwo is an example of an age-old practice of communal living, sharing, and giving. It showcases the continent's inherent values of care, support, and mutual growth. Omugwo reminds us that the true essence of giving is found not only in large acts but also in daily expressions of love and support.

Contributor: Ogo Chukwudi