Inquiry into the Nepali Kumari tradition ordered

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Nepal 'goddess' inquiry ordered

By Surendra Phuyal

BBC News, Kathmandu

 

The Supreme Court in Nepal has ordered an inquiry into

whether the tradition of worshipping a "living goddess" has

led to the exploitation of girls.

The tradition among a Hindu sect of worshipping the

"goddess" - or Kumari - in Kathmandu is centuries-old.

 

The landmark order has come in response to a petition

seeking an end to the tradition, which campaigners say is a

violation of human rights.

 

A final ruling is due after the three-month investigation is

completed.

 

Exploited

 

Nearly a year after the petition was first lodged, the court

ordered the Ministry of Culture to submit a detailed report

within the three-month deadline.

 

 

To that effect, the court suggested the committee should

comprise government officials and experts on the culture of

the Newaris - the aboriginal ethnic community who live in

and around the Kathmandu Valley and worship the Kumari.

 

The attorney acting on behalf of the petitioner, Tikaram

Bhattarai, told the BBC that the committee would

investigate whether or not girl children were being exploited

under the tradition of appointing a "living goddess".

 

"This is such a landmark order because it should pave the

way for modernisation of the Kumari tradition," Mr

Bhattarai told the BBC.

 

A Kumari is typically chosen at the age of five to six years

old, and is deemed ineligible after she starts menstruating

around the age of 12 or 13.

 

'Psychological damage'

 

The Newari community say they are following time-

honoured Hindu traditions in appointing the Kumari.

 

Kumaris are installed in the temple of Taleju Bhawani in the

heart of Kathmandu.

 

Incumbents are cut off from normal life, and have limited

contact with their families. They are not allowed to attend

regular schools.

 

Some human rights activists argue that this can cause long-

term psychological damage.

 

Once a Kumari starts menstruating, a new "living goddess"

is chosen following traditional rules and rituals.

 

A researcher on Newari culture, Chunda Bajracharya, told

the BBC that the tradition has not affected Kumaris'

individual rights.

 

Ms. Bajracharya argues that it has elevated their status in

society as "someone divine, someone who's above the rest".

 

"But I think some reform measures need to be put in place

to ensure their right to education, sports and all-round social

development as a child," she said.

 

Family members of retired Kumaris say they find it difficult

to get married because of a misconception among locals that

a retired Kumari brings bad luck - which could ultimately

lead to the untimely death of her husband.

 

Similar "goddesses" are also installed and worshipped in

other small Newari towns in the Kathmandu Valley.

 

The king of Nepal traditionally worships the goddess during

the Indra Jatra festival, which is observed in Kathmandu in

early autumn.

 

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/6105808.stm

 

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