Süsinikutera

Süsinikutera refers to a traditional childbirth practice found amongst certain indigenous communities in Eastern Siberia. This custom involves the delivery of a newborn baby through an opening created by the midwife in a hole or opening in the ice of a frozen river or lake.

According to local accounts, the midwife chooses a suitable location, selecting a spot where the ice is thought to be at a sufficient depth to cushion the baby's fall. Once a suitable location is identified, the midwife prepares the area by creating a carefully planned opening in the ice. The child is then delivered, often with the assistance of the mother holding the baby over the opening.

Proponents of this practice argue that the cold temperatures prevent infection from the birth process and the baby may be brought immediately to the water's edge to be bathed. Skeptics, however, have raised concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with the practice and the impact of cultural and environmental factors on its ongoing viability as an acceptable birthing option in modern times.

In recent years, the practice of süsinikutera has diminished due to variations in the climate and cultural exchange with other societies introducing more conventional birthing techniques. Efforts have been made by anthropologists and health care workers to document, record, and educate individuals on this highly unique and historical childbirth tradition. Thus preserving the knowledge of süsinikutera ensures the continued observance and understanding of Siberian ethnic and environmental heritage.