Rituals in several cultures that fathers adopt during pregnancy
This article is about the male pregnancy ritual. For the proposed medical condition, see Couvade syndrome.
Couvade ([kuvad]ⓘ) is a term which was coined by the anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor in 1865 to refer to certain rituals in several cultures that fathers adopt during pregnancy.
Couvade can be traced to Ancient Egypt as a "sacred birth custom, of when a child is born, the man experiences the ritual of 'labor' in which he takes to his bed, and undergoes periods of fasting and purification, and the observance of certain taboos".[1]
The Ancient Greek writer Plutarch mentions a report by Paeon of Amathus of a custom in Cyprus honouring the myth of Ariadne (who had died while pregnant) in which a young man would lie down and imitate the crying and gesturing of women during labor.[2]
The term "couvade" is borrowed from French, which derives it from the verb couver ("to brood, hatch"). The term's use in the modern sense derives from a misunderstanding of an earlier idiom faire la couvade, which meant "to sit doing nothing".[3]
An example of couvade was from the Cantabri, who had a custom in which the father, during or immediately after the birth of a child, took to bed, complained of having labour pains and was accorded the treatment usually shown to women during pregnancy or after childbirth. Similarly, in Papua New Guinea, fathers built a hut outside the village and mimicked the pains of labour until the baby was born. Similar rituals occur in other cultural groups in Thailand, Russia, China, India[4] and many indigenous groups in the Americas.
In some cultures, "sympathetic pregnancy" is attributed to efforts to ward off demons or spirits from the mother or seek favour of supernatural beings for the child.[5] Couvade has been reported by travelers throughout history, including the Greek geographer Strabo (3.4.17).
According to Claude Lévi-Strauss, the custom of couvade reinforces the institution of the family in some societies by "welding" together men and their wives and future children.[6]
^Mami Wata: Africa's Ancient Goddess Unveiled Vol. I p. 71
^Plutarch, Life of Theseus, xx.4: ἐν δὲ τῇ θυσίᾳ τοῦ Γορπιαίου μηνὸς ἱσταμένου δευτέρᾳ κατακλινόμενόν τινα τῶν νεανίσκων φθέγγεσθαι καὶ ποιεῖν ἅπερ ὠδίνουσαι γυναῖκες ("He says also that at the sacrifice in her honour on the second day of the month Gorpiaeus, one of their young men lies down and imitates the cries and gestures of women in travail", Loeb translation)
^New Oxford American Dictionary (OUP, 2nd ed., 2005), p. 390.
^Thurston, Edgar; Rangachari, K (1909). Castes and tribes of southern India Volume III-K. Madras, India: Madras Government Press. p. 492.
^"Couvade Syndrome". The Free Dictionary by Farlex. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
^Conflict, Order and Action (Chapter 33), Edward Ksenych & David Liu, 2001
Couvade ([kuvad] ) is a term which was coined by the anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor in 1865 to refer to certain rituals in several cultures that...
Couvade syndrome, also called sympathetic pregnancy, is a proposed condition in which an expectant father experiences some of the same symptoms and behavior...
sensations. Although rare, men can experience false pregnancy symptoms, called Couvade syndrome or "sympathetic pregnancy", which can occur when their significant...
non-native tissue Artificial uterus (extracorporeal gestation) Couvade, a ritual Couvade syndrome, a sympathetic condition Female sperm Male egg Male lactation...
birth, and allow the men to practice postpartum confinement instead. (See Couvade). Aspects of the practice of "sitting the month" continue today, especially...
Cotard delusion, and Ekbom syndrome, and additional disorders such as the Couvade syndrome and Geschwind syndrome. The onset of psychiatric disorders usually...
light-weighing, small balls with a round shape to simulate a pregnant abdomen. Couvade syndrome Llorens, Ileana (2011-12-09). "Fake Pregnancy Bellies Popular...
sources including trials. This ritual almost certainly originated as a couvade, designated to collectively relieve the extreme stress this particular...
Studies (1946), he uses psychoanalysis to shed light on the meaning of couvade, puberty rites, and the Jewish rituals of Yom Kippur and shofar. His studies...
right away, and Nijinsky missed performances due to his own symptoms of couvade syndrome. This was cited as Diaghilev's legal grounds for firing him, which...
requirements, but it was primarily a private family matter. The father observed a couvade. Boys' initiation for groups of boys aged around 15 years was marked by...
of medicine with special reference to ancient Egypt, 1929 The custom of couvade, 1929 The beginnings, Egypt and Assyria, 1930 The bridle of Pegasus; studies...
the hour-long documentary Biology of Dads, which follows a father with Couvade syndrome and explores scientific knowledge about fatherhood. It comments...
adults and too much poetry (The Women's Project and Productions, NY, 1980) Couvade, a one-man show in which the actor gives birth on stage (Actors Theatre...
Human fathers with couvade syndrome have higher levels of prolactin, and cortisol levels than fathers without. Cross-culturally couvade syndrome is associated...
Level of Lake Ostrovo, West Macedonia, 1937 The Gypsies of Albania, 1938 Couvade in Albania, 1939 The Sedentary Gypsies of Metzoro, 1939 Dervishes in Albania...
1990) A Christmas Carol (adapted from Dickens; 1987) Moonshadow (1987) Couvade (1987) Drive In (1976) 1040 Blues ( 1974) "One Destiny Page". fordstheatre...
⟨halshs-00516607⟩ Albert Doja. Social Thought & Commentary: Rethinking the Couvade. Anthropological Quarterly, George Washington University, Institute for...
neolocal. Pregnant women had to observe certain food taboos. Fathers observed couvade by remaining in hammocks for three days following the birth of their children—it...
and his sister's daughter is preferred. Following the birth of a child, couvades are practiced. Men remain in his hammock for the first three days after...
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