Bella Bellies
I read this story some time ago and wanted to share it with you. The great Maya Angelo travelled across Africa and documented her findings. To a surprised American audience, she later shared an experience she had during a female, tribal, communal bath. During the bath, the women surrounding her began to cry for her after seeing Maya's belly. Maya Angelo asked why and they expressed sadness for her that she did not have any children. Maya explained to them that she did in fact have children, but did not have any stretch marks or loose skin as a consequence of her pregnancies. The women then expressed their sympathies, because in their culture stretch marks and loose skin are considered an honor of motherhood. In fact, the women of this tribe and the surrounding tribes, proudly display their abdomens after having babies. Something to consider right? Our bellies are beautiful!
