
Well, dangerous might be a strong word. In 1879, c-sections were considered dangerous in other places, but not in Africa. A c-section in the Banyoro kingdom (now Uganda) was common and safe. And it all started with a banana.
The mother stayed awake but semi-conscious through the delivery. The doctor used a knife to deliver the baby and a hot iron to stop the bleeding. Then he stitched up the incision. Last he applies a vital herbal paste prepared by the community to stitches. Although the incision healed in 11 days, the community’s job wasn’t finished.
The use of c-sections in Uganda is just one example of how unity and the ability to share our traditional gifts as a community not only preserves our history, but also protects Black life. We are each other’s safe keepers.