The connotation of the celebration of menstruation with the idea of marriage, womanhood, and fertility is problematic. KC Archana Updated on Nov 11, 2017, 09:00 IST. The state-government is all out on finalising a law on the anti-superstition in Karnataka in this session, after keeping it on hold for almost two years. The opinion on the extent to which this event must be celebrated varies like the colours in the spectrum. Over a period of time, the ceremony has … Seetha has fantasized a fairy tale ceremony. Earlier, this ceremony was practised to a great extent by the Nair community. Heeding puberty and menstruation as a period of restful seclusion, celebration and sanctity steeped in Indian culture is evident in the Ambubachi festival, and similar traditions throughout the nation, including Keddasa (annual Tulu festival centred on providing three days rest to Mother earth) in Karnataka, and Raja Paravasa in Odisha. Somewhere else many, many kilometres away from Seetha’s home, there is another scene that unfolds. WhatsApp. She gathers courage to whisper in her mom’s ear, “I saw blood in my panty, I think I am seriously ill.”. All these puberty rituals have the same undercurrent, with slight differences. He is certainly the guest of honour and the main convener of the puberty ritual in most southern states. Here’s looking at puberty rituals in India announcing to the world that a girl has just become fertile, valuable to society as a bearer of children! At thirteen and a half, she is petrified. Series VII, Theology and religion v. 317. The question looms large. Bheemakka, who doesn’t have a surname because she doesn’t know who her father is, went through the puberty ritual in March, but she wasn’t sold. Particularly those menstrual taboos will be spooled into her mind for future replay. Raksha’s parents wanted Foto Zone to do a series of portfolio shots which would later be used as a slide show during her puberty function. Puberty Ritual In South India. It could be cancer, she thinks, with a sense of urgency. In the past, it was essential to conduct this ceremony so as to marry one’s daughter in the coming future. Linkedin. There is a spectacular grind to be gone through. The draft - The Karnataka Prevention of Superstitions Practices Bill, 2013 - will be tabled in this monsoon session. This video is unavailable. With those few hushed words, Anju is initiated into a life time of secret-period-act, no drum beats, no fanfare, no adequate initiation, no sympathies either. My friend from Kerala agrees to that. Twitter. She just can’t wait for it… “Not yet,” her mother said, one afternoon, “Sometimes it comes late.”. He plays an important role, as in many of these communities, he is considered the first in line to wed her! Is Motherhood A Woman’s Ultimate Achievement? puberty rituals, culminating into a lavish feast. Traditionally girls in this district in south India undergo an 11-day purification ceremony following the onset of menstruation. Ground Urad dal or fenugreek seed, cooked in sesame oil in slow simmering heat and served with jaggery or palm sugar syrup is another puberty meal. Hereafter, every time she has periods, for three days, she will be excused to the same mat-at-one-corner. Hailing from a small town in Utter Pradesh, she has not been exposed to puberty education in school. Therefore, this ceremony was mostly celebrated by people with money. Anju’s thoughts are fixated on the blood-y stench and nature’s abject unfairness towards her body. (cracking skull is performed for prosperity in weddings and puberty rituals in Sri Lanka) In puberty rituals of Govi people the girl is bathed by a female of this caste and for their performance they were compensated through money, food, and also with the dress and jewelry given to her at that time. We the people of India, intertwined into single fabric of nationalism, yet so in silo. Everyone must know that this girl is now a woman! This treasure of knowledge is called as ‘Vedas’ which are given to us by our ancient seers obtained by them through their great effort and penance. Neither it is celebrated with grand festivities nor by a lot of people in Kerala. One akin to a marriage reception. “Oh but the ritual, I am looking forward to it. The girl is gifted saree, gold, powder, or cash. That gives you the much needed rest! Why Does Hinduism Still Insist On Impurity Of Menstruation? The girl is then given Chigali unde (a dish made of sesame seeds and jaggery that is believed to help in proper flow), Tambula (a combination of coconut, betel leaves, etc. In the island of Pentecost, situated near Australia, man-hood is proven through Bungee Jumping, this is where this sport emerged, by-the-way. I am a Chartered Accountant and a Mother of a 7 year old. “Times have changed,” she tells. It is a ceremony to announce a girl has hit puberty. The girl is given food on a separate plate, and she has to stay away from the male gaze. Most of Southern India, the Assamese, and the Kulu Paharis are some of the people in India who celebrate puberty rituals. Punjab a definite exception – No restrictions whatsoever. The 11-year-old’s mother and grandmother are both devadasis, which means female servants of god. So of course, he has to know of her fertility first! Coming of age rituals are the society’s way to include young men and women into the adult pool. She will sit, sleep and eat on this mat alone. Watch Queue Queue. It might take you longer. It restates the old age taboo of association of “impurity” and “polluted” with periods. For the three days after the menstruation begins, the girl had to remain in isolation. Bheemakka, who doesn’t have a surname because she doesn’t know who her father is, went through the puberty ritual in March, but she wasn’t sold. An oil lamp would be lit in the chamber, in front of which a bunch of coconut flowers would be placed inside a bronze vessel filled with water. She latches the door from inside, with a dramatic air. Remove all; Disconnect; The next video is … One of the most celebrated event in a girls life is when she reaches her puberty. Confinement, nutritious food, and a ceremonial feast are the bedrock of these rituals. Features. Premises of the Kamakhya temple, the abode of the revered goddess . I grew up in a South Indian household, I have not been to any, nor did I have this ceremony for myself. The Misconceptions Around Menstruation And The Internet, I Had A Period Stain On My Kurta And Made The Mistake Of Taking The Metro. Why the ritual? Also, it reaffirms that a woman’s marriage and fertility are an important part of “womanhood”. Writing is, When My Mother Gave Me My First Lesson On Menarche, Just When She Thought Her Wait Had Ended, It Began Again…. 542 Shares. It is celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu where it is called ‘ Manjal Neerattu Vizha ‘ and Karnataka where it is referred to as ‘ Ashirvada ‘. “Your body becomes impure during periods, you need to restrict your movement,” is a message every girl is given. Kerala Actor Rajini Chandy’s Glam Photoshoot Was ‘Too Sexy’ For Sexist & Ageist Trolls. And they asked us to suggest a location for the outdoor photo shoot. To some extent, it was also prevalent among other caste groups of Kerala, although the duration and the way it was performed varied/varies within the communities. Rituals or secrecy? The attainment of puberty marked the next important festival in the life of a girl. The context of girls’ education in Karnataka. Let us leave the past to the past. And the untouchability? She will thus be initiated into the magical world of the sinful pubescent. Karnataka banned the practice in 1982, calling it a "social evil" that led women to prostitution. Get me the grand, blue Kanjivaram saree we saw the other day.” In one breath it was all out! How? The puberty ceremony is celebrated with friends and members who usually bring gifts. My Tamil speaking friend concurs. Mostly, the gifts are similar to the gifts of any bride. Ever Wondered What The Greeks Wrote About Menstruation? They lack adequate knowledge about the physical changes during the pubertal period and which in turn leads to undue anxiety. There are believers and non-believers in all pockets. Let’s Put That Tissue In Its Place, Shweta Tiwari’s Daughter Palak Speaks Of The (Usually Ignored & Hidden) Verbal Abuse By Stepdad, Suhana Khan Wears A Bikini And Plenty Of Folks Go Crazy, Internship Opportunities With Women’s Web, Amaranth seeds in a cup of raw milk is offered on the first day of period. This ceremony of Saddangu (Tamil Nadu), Aashirvada (Karnataka) or Tuloni Biyah (Assam) lets the community know, she is ready for marriage. Seetha is innocent and impressionable! There are various puberty and coming of age rituals across the globe, some even gruesome, while others celebratory. As parents, they wanted the best for Raksha. You would be surprised how in a country like India, there are several cultures down south that welcome a girl’s periods as auspicious. Young women in some parts of Karnataka traditionally wear the Langa davani after puberty. I can’t even imagine how horrible this might taste – it is health that matters! On the fourth day, she has to take a dip in a temple’s pond. It helps strengthen the uterus walls. Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both! Puberty. “Yes she got it early. It is open to you dear readers, what do you prefer? Maharashtra till recently had puberty rituals at an austere level, similar rituals but restricted only to women, a four day ritual. The word Veda is derived from the root ‘Vid-Jnane’ (to know), hence it is rightly called as “Sarvajnanamayo hi sah”. The girl, after her thirandukalayam ceremony, was considered to be eligible for marriage. Most northern states of India, from Kashmir to West Bengal, my own state Bihar, the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab – none of them have puberty rituals, though menstruating women are discriminated against. “ impurity ” and that is that in itself women into the corner-most of... 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