In this episode, Oni Blecher plays a recording of Gaby Tudor interviewing Mayan Midwives from Guatemala. We are so happy to respectfully share their Indigenous wisdom with you in this special edition podcast with PBB foreign correspondent Gaby. Here is a note from Gaby about her experience with Doña Dominga and Mariu Gobbato:

"My journey to Lake Atitlan began in Australia with my desire to learn more about practices that heal your womb. I had heard about womb massage in post-partum while working as doula and was interested in this work. This led me to an internet search of Mayan abdominal massage in Guatemala, which led me to Mariu’s course in Lake Atitlan.

Arriving to the high lake surrounded by volcanoes, I wasn’t sure what I completely expected from the Mayan abdominal course. My rational mind led me to believe that I would learn a marketable skill that I could use to deepen my practice with women. It wasn’t until the candles were lit in the Mayan cross; which give thanks to each type of corn, as well as the land, sky and with Doña Dominga giving thanks to her nahuals, that I realised I was doing some deep healing. It was during Doña Dominga's humble thanksgiving to the gods of the Mayan calendar for her gifts, that I knew that these teachings went deeper than just skills... they brought me to a place of ancestral knowing. Doña Dominga and other indigenous midwives still actively use the Mayan calendar and honour the days nahuals with candles and copal. Mariu, the organiser and facilitator of this training was the magic that wove it all together seamlessly. She has worked with Doña Dominga for several years, learning the diverse herbs and flowers used for making balms for massage and mastering the techniques of womb massage. This work is intuitive but also takes practice and guidance to initiate channels of healing to open. Mariu and Doña Dominga’s integrative work, allows you to feel held in learning the Indigenous ways as well as the usage for our modern world. This work is a homage to ways of the past but  also to empower a future generation of healers, creating a bridge between ancestral knowledge and future generations. 

Mariu Eugenia Gobbato is a massage therapist and midwifery apprentice. She has been working with Doña Dominga, a Mayan midwife in San Marcos la laguna in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. 

Doña Dominga is a Mayan midwife with over 30 years of experience attending births in her rural community in the Guatemalan highlands.

Recently, large rains and floods have caused a landslide in San Marcos, Lake Atitlan and this has destroyed several houses near Doña Dominga’s home. This destruction has also caused disruption to their midwifery services. Please consider donating to PayPal at mayamassageguatemala@gmail.com or visiting Sobada Maya Abdominal Massage on Facebook to see how you can help.

Thank you,
Gaby Tudor,
Zipolite, Oxaca, Mexico"

Thank you Gaby for this episode and Doña Dominga and Mariu Gobatto for generously sharing your midwifery wisdom.

Enjoy this episode !