GOPENG: Those with historical materials related to pregnancy and childbirth customs are encouraged to submit them to the National Archives of Malaysia for preservation, says its director-general Zaidin Mohd Noor.
He said that community records are an important source of information that could help researchers better understand local history, traditional knowledge and cultural practices.
“One of the methods we use is oral history, where we document people’s accounts and experiences.
“Another method is to encourage the public to contribute historical materials related to pregnancy and childbirth customs, which could be in various forms, including old photographs, documents, written records and audio-visual recordings,” he told reporters after opening the talk on pregnancy and birth customs and culture in Perak on Tuesday (Oct 20).
He said that the materials could be submitted to the National Archives of Malaysia’s Perak branch, where arrangements for the materials’ preservation, digitisation, documentation and public access could be discussed, subject to the owners’ consent, relevant rights and applicable procedures.
He added that community leaders, traditional practitioners, non-governmental organisations and families could play a role in safeguarding valuable historical materials in their possession.
“These records provide detailed information and allow researchers to study the knowledge, expertise and contributions of different communities,” he said.
He said that materials that appeared ordinary to their owners could hold significant value for future research.
“For example, a family photograph does not merely capture people and events. It can also reveal information about clothing, surroundings, family relationships and social practices during a particular period,” he said.
He stressed that preserving the country’s heritage is a shared responsibility that requires the participation and support of the public.
During a panel discussion earlier, traditional midwives highlighted the importance of preserving traditional pregnancy, childbirth and confinement practices as more mothers opt for modern postnatal care.
Indian traditional midwife R. Jebapakiam said that young mothers should be educated on the importance of traditional confinement practices and their role in postnatal care.
She suggested organising classes and workshops to share knowledge about traditional remedies and massage techniques, adding that younger generations would be more likely to learn if they were given proper guidance and exposure.
Malay traditional midwife Asma Ahmad said that traditional practices could be preserved while ensuring they are based on facts and safe for future generations.
Meanwhile, Baby Moon Confinement Home operator Carol Foo Wei Yee said traditional practices needed to adapt to changing trends by combining modern medical care with traditional approaches where appropriate.
She said that educating the younger generation is important to ensure traditional knowledge continues to be passed down.
