Revitalizing while transmitting: conversations around “natural birth”practices with Kichwa midwives in Ecuador’s Napo region

Despite its relevance for analyzing many distinctive native imaginaries and societal values, childbirth remains a relatively neglected theme within Amazonianist scholarship. Yet, birthing can be shown to structure contemporary struggles around kinship, politics, economics, and the place of transformation in social life. This article proposes to examine a Kichwa organization (AMUPAKIN) through an experimental anthropological lens. By putting childbirth at the center of its political struggle, AMUPAKIN seeks to keep Kichwa knowledge/power alive. The goal of the organization is that each child born the Kichwa way will be able to live a good life in multicultural contexts. The article documents how AMUPAKIN’s midwives work expertly at transforming childbirth into a myriad of culture-making events. It shows how native Amazonian midwifery facilitates collaborations across internal divisions and external differences. The making and strengthening of a unique biocultural heritage amidst generalized indifference and/or open hostility are explored. The conclusion outlines some of the implications for anthropological approaches to interculturality and ecumenical worldmaking.