For non-vegetarians, raw egg yolk is offered to the girl, which is gulped down full, without breaking the yolk, with half a cup of sesame oil, daily, for fifteen days! That gives you the much needed rest! Thirandukalyanam is a four-to-five days’ ceremony to celebrate menarche. The puberty ritual in Sri Lanka : a comparative exploration of perceptions and attitudes between Buddhists and Christians. The opinion on the extent to which this event must be celebrated varies like the colours in the spectrum. All these rituals have the same undercurrent, with slight differences. Everyone must know that this girl is now a woman! We suggested four locations. However, a typical Kannadiga Oota (meal) consists of rice, sambar, pickle, ghee, dessert, and other curry-based dishes and is served on a banana leaf. In the Tamil community, at first the girl is bathed by her close family and fed a nutritious diet but in isolation. In Koppal, an impoverished district in Karnataka, virginity is for sale. Why the untouchability? Rituals or secrecy? She is talking about her impending puberty. Bheemakka, who doesn’t have a surname because she doesn’t know who her father is, went through the puberty ritual in March, 2013, but she wasn’t sold. He plays an important role, as in many of these communities, he is considered the first in line to wed her! A closer look reveals a pattern of puberty beliefs on the first three days of periods, month on month, in some other states: Why? Her mother’s face is contorted with shame, her words curt and precise, coming from another realm. 542 Shares. Women’s Web is THE place for the Indian woman who wants to stay engaged with the world, who believes that she has a place in the world, and ideas to offer. Akka decked up like a princess, she got such awesome gifts. A keen look at the dichotomy of puberty rituals in India and how the practices hold menstruation both holy and sinful. It could be cancer, she thinks, with a sense of urgency. Why Does Hinduism Still Insist On Impurity Of Menstruation? The girl is gifted saree, gold, powder, or cash. “You will get it from now on.” And that is that. Traditionally girls in this district in south India undergo an 11-day purification ceremony following the onset of menstruation. I do believe that periods should be normalized as it is a natural process, and the celebration of menarche would help to fight the stigma, discrimination, myth, and taboos around menstruation but it comes with its problems. (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. 13 Puberty Rituals Around The World That Range From The Quaint To The Morbid. 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. There are believers and non-believers in all pockets. I asked my neighbour, why? I did not know that my Telugu speaking neighbour, from Andhra Pradesh, celebrates puberty rituals. Reactions vary, not on the basis of state, these are personal preferences; that is what I am assured. Particularly those menstrual taboos will be spooled into her mind for future replay. On the fourth day, she has to take a dip in a temple’s pond. Neither it is celebrated with grand festivities nor by a lot of people in Kerala. Hailing from a small town in Utter Pradesh, she has not been exposed to puberty education in school. Confinement, nutritious food, and a ceremonial feast are the bedrock of these rituals. She might check with her friends later. offered to the deity in puja or given to guests) and gifts. She gathers courage to whisper in her mom’s ear, “I saw blood in my panty, I think I am seriously ill.”. The attainment of puberty marked the next important festival in the life of a girl. Over probably just a mat, for 6 to 15 days. “Yes she got it early. The food is rich in flavour and consists of various vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The puberty ceremony is celebrated with friends and members who usually bring gifts. These questions have been opened up today. Restrictions or relief? The draft - The Karnataka Prevention of Superstitions Practices Bill, 2013 - will be tabled in this monsoon session. Believed to prepare the body for menstrual cycles. It is open to you dear readers, what do you prefer? Over a period of time, a lot of people do not organize this ceremony; they rejected the celebration because they find it a private and personal affair which should not be discussed in the open. 10 Handicraft Home Decor Products From Across India, Why Is A Woman’s Virginity So Important? Seetha’s mother will counsel her on the significance, the precautions, the frequency, and yes, the restrictions. Thirandukalyanam (തിരണ്ടുകല്യാണം) is the name of the ceremony that celebrates a girl attaining puberty. Compared to earlier days, it has undergone a significant change. Confinement, nutritious food, and a ceremonial feast are the bedrock of these rituals. At thirteen and a half, she is petrified. She will thus be initiated into the magical world of the sinful pubescent. “You will need this, you have periods,” Mom whispers even behind closed doors. Imprint New York : Peter Lang, c2011. Responsibility Paul Mantae Kim. Although, it is still celebrated in other parts of southern India. 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