CULTURAL NORMS AND RELIGIOUS TABOOS ON MENSTRUATION

 

CULTURAL NORMS AND RELIGIOUS TABOOS ON MENSTRUATION: INDIAN CULTURE

 

The topic of Menstruation in Hinduism. In the Hindu faith, women are prohibited from participating in normal life while menstruating. A woman must be "purified" before she is allowed to return to her family, and this has been considered a negative view of menstruation. This follows a description in the Puranas about Indra's 'Brahmahatya' (act of killing of the Brahmin demon Vritra) and the mitigation of the sin.

 

The word “Menstruation” which is known as a period or monthly, is the regular discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the body of the uterus through the vagina. The first period usually begins between twelve and fifteen years of age and the period usually ends between forty years to forty five years.

At the time of menstruation, some women experience their emotional disturbances starting one or two weeks before their period,. Symptoms of the menstruation  may include mental tension, irritability, mood swings, and crying spells.

 

In Hinduism, menstruating women are traditionally advised rules to follow. Menstruation is seen as a period of purification  and women are often separated from place of worship or any object pertaining to it, for the length of their period. This forms the basis of most of the cultural practices and restrictions around menstruation in Hinduism.

 

No girl should have to feel ashamed of menstruating. That red stain on her uniform, that spare pad she carries in her bag, they shouldn't dimish her confidence.  Around 60% of women diagnosed with common reproductive tract infections reported poor menstrual hygiene, according to a 2012 United Nations Population Fund study.  Only 15% of women use commercial sanitary protection, while 85% use home-made products, according to a 2015 study on menstrual hygiene practices. The interviews for this study revealed that these products range from cloth to make-do pads stuffed with ash, husk or even sand.  

 The main object was during the ancient era that due to health condition it is difficult to perform their duties with regard to worship. but subsequently in present days the meaning has been changed and the people in present societies sees in different way and the right to attend the religion place is strictly prohibited or lost their right during the Menstruation period. initial period that rule was optional but due to generation gape the rule has changed from optional to mandatory.  

In a 2014 study conducted in India, the researchers found that as many as 42% of women who participated in the study did not know about sanitary pads or from where in their anatomy menstruation originated. Women happen to reuse an old rag to store their waste."Most of them were scared or worried on first menstruation." Moreover, 88% of menstruating women in rural India use alternatives such as old fabric, rags, sand, ash, wood shavings, newspapers etc

 

Discrimination against women on account of menstruation is widespread in India, where periods have long been a taboo and menstruating women are considered impure. They are often excluded from social and religious events, denied entry into temples and shrines and kept out of kitchens.

 

Menstruation in synchrony with the moon is widely assumed in myths and traditions as a ritual ideal. The idea that menstruation is ideally ought to be in harmony with wider cosmic rhythms is one of the most tenacious ideas central to the myths and rituals of traditional communities across the world. One of the most methodical analyses of primitive mythology ever undertaken was that of the French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, who concluded that, taken together, the indigenous myths of North and South America expressed men's worry that, unless women's periods were carefully monitored and synchronised, the universe might descend into chaos.

 

In Judaism, a woman during menstruation is called "niddah" and may be banned from certain actions. For example, the Jewish Torah prohibits sexual intercourse with a menstruating woman. The ritual exclusion of "niddah" applies to a woman while menstruating and for about a week thereafter, until she immerses herself in a ritual bath which is basically intended only for married women. During this time, a married couple must avoid sexual intercourse and physical intimacy. Orthodox Judaism forbids women and men from even touching or passing things to each other during this period. While Orthodox Jews follow this exclusion, many Jews in other branches of the religion do not.

 

She cannot wash her hair for at least the first 5 days of her period. This is again something weird passed on from elder ladies in the family. May be years back when bath had to be taken in streams, it used to get inconvenient to wash body and hair when bleeding. But in today’s age, it is just one of those unscientific things that need to be followed in the family.

Food is a powerful lens through which to view women and their place in India. While care is taken of the woman on her period, she is also excluded, deemed too dangerous to participate in society. This idea of impurity is propagated by superstition, and enforces a deeply patriarchal power structure that functions in all realms of the country.

Menstrual hygiene discussions are incomplete without discussing the disposal of soiled pads. The shame and secrecy associated with menstrual periods result in improper disposal methods. The polymeric sanitary napkins, which have replaced cloth napkins to a great extent, are made of material that is non-biodegradable, leading to the accumulation of used napkins in landfills.

 

Feminists such as Chella Quint have spoken against the use of shaming in advertising for feminine hygiene products She created a zine, Adventures in Menstruating, to "help alter the visibility of menstruation, so that it's at least normal to talk about it. Because, right now, it's not". Other menstrual activists include Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, who published My Little Red Book; filmmaker and academic Giovanna Chesler, who created the documentary Period: The End of Menstruation; and artist Ingrid Berthon-Moine, who exhibited a video and series of photographs at the Venice Biennale.

 

During menstrual periods, women are excused from performing prayers. Sets of rules are advised for women to follow while during menstruation. They should not fast and left over fasts of Ramadan are to be completed during other days. During menses pilgrimages are allowed; and circumambulation of the Kaaba is also permitted. They are permitted to enter the praying place of the mosque but are excused from prayer and are encouraged to be present at Muslims gatherings and festivals (Eids). After the period, a bath (Ghusl), which is also required of both partners after sex, is also required before prayer may continue.

In 1991, the Kerala High Court restricted entry of women above the age of 10 and below the age of 50 from Sabarimala Shrine as they were of the menstruating age. On 28 September 2018, the Supreme Court of India lifted the ban on the entry of women. It said that discrimination against women on any grounds, even religious, is unconstitutional.

 

Celebrated yet outcasted however in some respects Indians view menstruation, especially the first menstruation or menarche, as a positive aspect of a girl's life. In South India and also in the Assamese community, girls who experience their menstrual period for the first time are given presents and celebrations to mark this special occasion, though women who are menstruating are not allowed in the household for a period of 3 nights.

 

Recognizing the taboos that exist in the North, which inevitably affect any development work in the South is the first step. The statistics speak for themselves: 23% of girls in India drop out of school when they begin menstruating. Changing our attitudes and having ‘menstrual-consciousness’ means recognizing the way in which menstruation may be a hindrance to the outcomes of projects when it doesn’t have to be covering sectors from wash, education and women’s economic empowerment. Aside from this, there are the basic rights arguments and quality of life. Only 12% of India’s menstruating women use sanitary pads while they are menstruating.

Presently there are many type of products available in market which can be use at the time of menstruation like Sanitary napkins, Tampons, Menstrual cups, Reusable cloth pads, period proof underwear, sea sponges, blanket or towl.