South Bangka – A research team from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), led by Eka Yuniati, S.Pd., M.A., conducted a study entitled “Between Tradition and Nutrition: Food Taboos in the Dietary Practices of Pregnant Women in the Bangka Belitung Islands” in Pasir Putih Village, Tukak Sadai District, South Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, on 14 July 2026. The study involved 23 participants, including village officials, pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and local community members. Using an anthropological approach to health, food, and nutrition, the research seeks to understand how local belief systems and traditional knowledge shape food taboos among pregnant and postpartum women, as well as their implications for maternal health.
The study was motivated by the recognition that dietary practices during pregnancy and the postpartum period are influenced not only by medical considerations but also by cultural values that have been passed down through generations. In many communities, food is understood not merely as a source of nutrition but also as an integral part of cultural identity, local knowledge systems, and collective perceptions of health, pregnancy, and maternal well-being. Against this backdrop, the research explores how food taboos continue to be preserved, transmitted across generations, and negotiated alongside modern medical knowledge and nutritional recommendations.
Throughout the research process, the team conducted in-depth interviews with participants to document the various food taboos still observed within the community, the cultural beliefs underpinning these practices, and their influence on the dietary choices of pregnant and postpartum women. In addition to identifying foods considered prohibited or restricted, the researchers examined the roles of family members, community leaders, and healthcare professionals in shaping maternal dietary decisions during pregnancy and the postpartum recovery period. The findings are expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between local traditions, nutritional intake, and maternal health in the Bangka Belitung Islands.
According to Eka Yuniati, S.Pd., M.A., the principal investigator, the study does not seek to judge whether these traditions are right or wrong. Instead, it aims to understand the socio-cultural context in which they exist. She explained that food taboos represent an important form of local knowledge that should be understood holistically so that maternal health policies are informed not only by biomedical perspectives but also by the cultural values embedded within the community. By examining how traditional beliefs interact with modern health knowledge, the research is expected to contribute to the development of more culturally responsive and effective nutrition education strategies.
Representatives of Pasir Putih Village noted that the community’s ethnic diversity is one of its greatest cultural assets, giving rise to a rich variety of traditions related to dietary practices during pregnancy and after childbirth. The village is home to people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including the indigenous Bangka, Malay, Javanese, Bugis, and several other communities, each with its own cultural values and systems of traditional knowledge. According to the village representative, the community observes more dietary restrictions during the postpartum period than during pregnancy. “We hope this research will document and preserve our local wisdom while enriching academic knowledge and serving as a valuable reference for designing maternal health programs that are culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of our community,” the representative stated.
The findings of this research are expected to make an important contribution to the development of maternal health policies that are more sensitive to the socio-cultural contexts of local communities. The evidence generated by the study may serve as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, local governments, and other stakeholders in designing nutrition education programs that respect cultural traditions while remaining grounded in scientific evidence. Such an approach is expected to enhance the effectiveness of maternal and child health initiatives by fostering collaboration between modern science and local wisdom.
This research also supports the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting improved nutritional practices for pregnant and postpartum women, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by strengthening understanding of the socio-cultural factors that influence maternal health and supporting the improvement of maternal and child healthcare services, and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by advancing women’s health, ensuring access to accurate health information, and empowering women to make informed decisions regarding their nutrition during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Through this study, FISIP UNNES reaffirms its commitment to producing research that not only enriches academic scholarship but also generates meaningful contributions to inclusive, equitable, and culturally grounded public health development.
