‘The Weird and Superstitious in KTM’

I am reaching the end of my second week in Kathmandu City and although I have been busy preparing for my brother-in-laws nuptials next week, I have been somewhat been prevented in helping out directly this week because of my ‘Ladies Monthly’s’. Although this is nothing new for myself or I am sure, for any other Nepali lady, I was rather surprised by some new things I learnt about living in Nepal as a woman.

I am sure everyone knows the drill that when you’re menstruating, Hindu Nepalese women are forbidden from entering the kitchen or prayer rooms or temples. What I didn’t know and which I thought was very interesting (and weird) was that women are also forbidden from touching growing plants and shrubs like courgettes and marrows and beans that are growing on a stalk . Why is that I asked? Because.., and please bear this in mind, I was informed by a very knowledgeable senior in my family. It is because it is certain to shrivel up and die if I touch it while I am menstruating. Aaah ok. That makes a lot of sense. I am also forbidden from touching or going anywhere near oil or cooked rice or water. Ican touch uncooked rice, but pilau rice, biriani rice, boiled, steamed or fried rice or good Heavens even Chewra, I must stay away far far away from. Ok I got it, I thought.

But that was the first of the many golden nuggets of superstitious information I encountered this very week. For example, I was informed by an ancient weather-beaten faced woman who I am sure is a treasure trove of information and experience in this world, that wearing a small pouch of sindoor (vermillion powder) around your waist is a sure-fire way of delaying your period by a few days or more. Wow I nodded enthusiastically as I wrote this down in my little note book, listening very intently at her words. I thanked her heartedly and returned to my little stool in the corner of the room (I’m supposed to sit away from everyone too).

Also this week, the lady who comes to help clean the house looked unwell the other day so I asked her what was wrong. There was a cloud of darkness on her usually very sunny countenance and she replied quite matter-of-factly that because she was working in the garden quite late in the evening yesterday, she has been taken-over by an evil spirit that has been causing her a severe toothache. You need a dentist love, I told her (and perhaps a shrink too, but I said this in a low voice so as not to be heard). She replied that earlier on, she had poked the source of pain (pointing inside her motuh)with a piece of aluminium, which she has now worn in her ear as an earring and that someone has given her some ‘acheta’ (offering of rice and flowers from a temple) so she will well soon. Lo and behold the very next day she has recovered! I was impressed, Dear Readers, before I learnt from my Ma-In-Law that she had given her some Ibuprofen at night time for her toothache too. And the sweet lady remains adamant that her recovery had nothing to do with the Ibuprofen pills.

I am sure you, my Dear Readers can tell me of at least a dozen other Nepalese superstitious beliefs. I am certain every Nepali person out there must know the one that tells you that you must blow on your fingers if you touch your neck otherwise you’ll grow a goitre there. Now how many of you do this unconsciously even if you, like me, know that this isn’t possible scientifically. You still blow on your fingers don’t you? I know I do!

Also weird are other practices that I’ve known for like years but have never really thought about them properly. For example, you should never travel in a group of three or if you sneeze, you should sit for a few seconds before you set off and you should never move house on a Wednesday. Or you should? Never mind, confusion is settling in! It’s still weird and all based on superstition.

My father tells me that for each Nepalese superstitious belief, there is generally an element of functionality and reasoning behind it. Somewhere. Albeit very dilute, it is to help those people who are uneducated and illiterate. For example, the whole reason behind restricting ladies from household and religious duties during their period is to allow them to rest for these days when they are most weak and not because menstruation is considered dirty or impure. Well, actually that too. Back in the days, Nepalese women did not have the luxury of being able to purchase a pack of Always Ultra off the local Kirana Pasal. Instead, it was good old rags and these were never reliable, as you can imagine so it was better to sit still and rest than run around...with these rags on.

For many Neps and Non-Neps alike who aren’t aware of such things, it might be a culture shock that women still live like this in Nepal and outside Nepal in many households. Hey some of my Non-Nep friends think it’s a desirable thing, you know to be able to take a break from household chores at that time of the month! But I also learnt from several women I spoke to in Nepal about this, that they think the rules should be relaxed a little as situations have changed for women in current times. An example is that the traditional family structure of an extended family is rapidly changing. There are more and more small family units about than in previous years and it is impossible for a woman to sit on a stool all day menstruating, waiting for someone to come and pass her a morsel to eat because Husband-Dear is at work.

I find it all a bit tedious all this and wish it wasn’t so strict for some ladies. While some families are lax in Ktm, some families are ultra-religious and avoid menstruating-women like they will be besieged by some deadly disease from the Armageddon if they sit too near.

Come on people, it’s time to drop some unnecessary practices here and move with the times. First, it’s all superstition – there maybe some practicality here and there but it’s not a proven scientific fact. And secondly, it’s a bit weird isn’t it?

Catch you next week!

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