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15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Altered Images
Hawaiian birthing stone with mamaki leaves

Hawaiian birthing stone, located at the Kūkaniloko Birth Site on Oʻahu. Used only by royalty for birthing - the woman would arrive in the presence of 36 male chiefs and position herself on the stone to give birth. The mamaki leaves found placed on this stone were used traditionally to relax tense muscles prior to childbirth.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2016
Date Uploaded: 11.2017
Photo Location: Wahiawa Plateau, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Salvatore Lanzilotti