Denim Quilt, April 2007
2 months ago
Granny women. Appalachia’s midwives. They are usually elder women in the community, the ones people come to with their problems. They do not wear any special garb or have any physical attributes, other than being elderly, that a person can identify them by. The Granny women are recognized throughout the community by their actions. For example, Granny women do not expect to be paid for their services. Furthermore, they are expected to be ethical, and never do harm to another human being. Many Granny women are fundamentalist Christians and are looked to as religious leaders in their communities. Yet they are not in control over anyone. Instead, they are just looked at as wise, good women who unselfishly help the community.
The wisdom of a granny woman is passed down to a family member. Traditionally the arts are given to one female per generation. One belief is that the magical power of a woman is increased during her menstrual cycle; thus, during a woman’s period is the best time for her to learn the ways of a granny woman. Most of the teachings consist of potions from herbs.
“At that time around the `20s and on up through the `30s and all, they had what they called the "midwife," and they'd go and get her and she'd stay around the home until the . . . with the mother till the kid was born. She was just a woman from the country around here at that time. [The granny women] were just trained by experience. Had several kids theirselves and then they'd help someone else to have it, as far as I know. I don't think [babies died in childbirth] any more then than they do now, but might have been more. A lot of time a woman would have a kid by herself right at home. Her man would be away and nobody close and had . . . I know of a few cases like that. They didn't know anything about a nurse at that time, I don't imagine. I never heared much talk about it.”
John Caldwell
b. 1901 Harlan County, KY
Source: http://tinyurl.com/2kz4ft
Source: http://tinyurl.com/36v7lk
appalachian+history appalachian+culture appalachia history+of+appalachia
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Thanks so much for your info about Granny Women in the Appalachians...
I am fascinated! I live in the Blue Ridge and feel a strong connection to this ancient culture. Do you have other info on this topic?
I was soooo jazzed to read your blog. Is there more?
...and weirdly enough, you wrote this posting on my birthday!!
Giant thanks!
Laurel
LJ said...
10:01 PM
>>Do you have other info on this topic?
Hi Laurel,
Your enthusiasm's infectious! Glad you're getting joy from these writings. OK, to answer this question, yep, there are currently 2 other articles tucked in here that discuss Granny Women. Follow these 2 links:
http://snipurl.com/27g2f
http://snipurl.com/27g2l
>>...and weirdly enough, you wrote this posting on my birthday!!
Well there ya go, then. Guess I'm off the hook for getting you a gift this go-round? ;-)
Dave Tabler said...
5:09 PM
Thanks so much, Dave.....:)
I a
I unabashedly admit that after reading the first blog I ended up winding around a ton of Appalachian tales and stories... Melungeons and mysterious fires in the forests ( apparently some kind of weird phosphorescent 'srooms... hehehe!! ) alsa, you know how the wonderful worldwide web can suck you into it's vortexxxxx..... :)
I had the wonderful privilege to meet and work with a great storyteller, Andrena Belcher, when I was working for a federally funded employment program back in the mid-80's ( not MY mid- eighties
...hehe)...she helped us in organizing a summer youth program
that focused on preserving the local history of jack tales and fiddle playing.. she had amazing history tucked into her energetic soul and made these buried treasure come alive by helping us to organize a fiddler's convetion and mountain culture event.
as if i wasn't already hooked enough, this put me wayyy over the edge and have never looked back...
do you know of any great old timey festivals that aren't a whole buncha commercial fluff?
inquiring minds wanna know...
Laurel :)
LJ said...
8:22 PM
I found the Appalachian Granny Women article and Blog and was stunned to see the old woman was my Great Grandmother. how can I find out how they got the picture and from where? I am so curious. Great article but want to see how it got to the article
Frank said...
5:00 PM
LAUREL: I have a segement on my weekly podcast where I discuss old timey festivals taking place currently throughout the region.
FRANK: Roll your cursor over the photograph and you'll see the university collection that it came from.
And if you have any really interesting stories to share about your great grandmother, I'll pull the photo from this article and run it with your stories, with the photo properly identified as to who she was!
Dave Tabler said...
1:06 PM