Health in her Handbag - By Rabia Cassimjee Khan

Written By: Rabia Cassimjee Khan

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Rabia Cassimjee Khan presents "Health in her Handbag," a poignant entry in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her poem delves into the rich legacy of "Bag Nurses," highlighting their pivotal role in community healthcare. Through vivid imagery and historical context, Khan commemorates these remarkable women who practiced traditional midwifery in South Africa.

About the Work

"Health in her Handbag" vividly captures the essence of traditional midwifery, celebrating the "Bag Nurses" who carried their indispensable tools in a simple suitcase. Khan’s work is steeped in nostalgia and reverence, weaving a tapestry of cultural heritage and the evolution of healthcare. The poem employs rich imagery to honor the dedication and skill of these women who overcame legal challenges to provide essential services.

Health in her Handbag

Original Submission by Rabia Cassimjee Khan

Health In Her Handbag

Rabia Cassimjee Khan

Master’s in Nursing – University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) in the year 2000

Clothed in a white anglaise sari,

Equipped with tools for her trade.

She walked the stretches of Natal and beyond.

From the 1860 ships ahoy,

To the Durban Casbah and beyond,

Inward and Onward,

She practiced her trade,

With grace and skill.

An art form, like no other,

Passed down from mother to daughter,

through sister to friend.

An extinct network of women skills,

Traditional Home Birthing.

From Rebecca Atchmma George, Ayesha Kader and Junction Aya,

To the last surviving "Bag Nurse" Sister Thylammah Pillay (passed in 1997).

They also tended the physical and emotional woes of our people,

Caste, colour and creed aside.

Healthcare was in the hands of priests and these "Bag Nurses".

Named after their brown cardboard, school style suitcases,

They carried this bag of help with products, pride and power.

Its' contents would delight or shock many,

Fishing line or twine, Minora blades, Lion matches, cotton wool, gauze, massage oils, birth spices/marenseloo, the dried flower of Mariam (their labour timer), a net fish weighing scale, hand-made baby clothes and moreeee.

A golliwog too!!!

To demonstrate the mechanism of labour,

A part of antenatal care,

To calm an expectant mom.

These were their ingredients for safe birthing and aftercare.

Similes and synonyms evolved with their tasks,

Bag Aunties and Marrthuvatchis,

Aayas, Dhayees, Halimas, Bag Ladies, Bag Nurses...Our Community Midwives.

There were many titles and roles for these phenomenal women.

Now, an extinct profession.

These Indian Bag Ladies were tried,

Trusted,

but also tested!

This ancient skill during early indenture was illegal,

With fines in Pounds (£) for unorthodox yet ingenious practices.

Further training with Sister Mary Kathleen Brown of the Durban City Borough,

Presented a legal, prestigious and safe home-birthing career.

More than a century of success,

A rewarding yet tiring job,

Built a household name.

A pioneering spirit to proudly lead Indian girls,

Like Mum and I,

Into South African Professional Nursing.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar offers a platform for writers worldwide to showcase their literary talents. This prestigious competition invites participants to explore diverse themes across poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing, fostering a global dialogue through the art of words.

Thank you, Rabia Cassimjee Khan, for your evocative contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with "Health in her Handbag." Your work beautifully honors the legacy of traditional community midwives and enriches our understanding of their impact. We appreciate your participation and look forward to your future literary endeavors.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.