| 1. Title: Seasonal births in a Western Abelam village, Papua New Guinea. Author: SCAGLION R Source: Human Biology 50(3):313-323. September 1978. Abstract: A study was undertaken to examine seasonal birth patterns in 1 New Guinea village. Quantitative verification was provided by the study for previously observed ethnographic data. No birth prevention is practiced by the people under study. These Western Abelam people have a set of ritual beliefs, involving the cultivation of yams, which proscribes sexual activity during the 6-month yam growing season. The seaonal distribution of known birth months of surviving children differed significantly from random. The birth patterns of yam growers corresponded to the yam cultivation calendar. Cultural factors, it is concluded, are of prime importance in this birth seasonality. Climate and ecological factors have at best only a secondary influence. Nutritional factors, also related to yam cultivation taboos, may be secondarily responsible for the observed seasonal birth patterns. Language: English Keywords: INCIDENCE | PAPUA NEW GUINEA | SEX BEHAVIOR | ABSTINENCE | RELIGIOUS ASPECTS | NUTRITION | CONTRACEPTIVE USAGE | Measurement | Research Methodology | Developing Countries | Oceania | Behavior | Family Planning, Behavioral Methods | Family Planning | Religion | Health | Contraception Document Number: 783259 |
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