Taboos in Nepali society have crippled our identity; they are contagious because we are too sluggish to follow the configuration and make others follow it.
Taboos are irrational beliefs that are holding Nepal back. There is no scientific reasoning behind it. Instead, they are purely superstitious. Over the decades, people have been revising the traditional narratives, passing down thoughtless culture to the next generation without any logical patronage.
Here are some of the taboo subjects that are powerfully present even today:
1. Sex
Nepali people are shy when the topic of sex comes up in public. Even while watching TV with your family, if there is a kissing scene, the awkward situation that arises is peculiar. Lack of sex education in school or in the family is present. People have reached the moon, but there is a shyness about breaking the untold norms and shutting down talks about sex as taboo in Nepali society. I request that you break all the shackles and bring about transformation with the right approach.
2. Menstruation
Amidst the change in perception toward women and menstruation, we still have many parts of Nepal where you can find bizarre customs and beliefs. For example, research discloses that more than 90% of city (literate) women don’t bathe their hair when they are menstruating. A portion of women won’t visit temples. A large number of women won’t even go out of their homes.
And even purchasing sanitary napkins is secretive if they are unlawful and should be hidden inside opaque polyethylene. We should erase this taboo in Nepali society.
3. “Samaj le k bhanla” / “What Will People Say”
Our family wants us to stand out in a crowd, and ironically, you will be asked to follow the group if you think anything different. The double standards of Nepali society are miserable. If your son or daughter wants to think outside the box, shouldn’t you support their efforts rather than create unnecessary obstacles? We should break this ‘samaj le k bhanla’ stigma to progress. This is one taboo in Nepali society that has far greater implications as it is connected to every small thing we do.
4. Divorce
You can slaughter each other if your marriage is dysfunctional, but I dare you to discuss divorce. It would be despicable on the societal status of the family. In Nepal, there are many cases where the husband and wife are physically separated but do not want to file for divorce legally. The sole reason is that it would bring disgrace to their immediate families. Therefore, no matter how dissatisfied you are with your life, divorce is entirely out of the question.
5. Inter Caste Marriage
Marrying someone from a different social caste system. Although there are no written laws, inter-caste marriage is barred with egotism, even in the much-hyped recent constitution. The essence of marriage loses its recognition in this tussle for the same-caste wedding. Nepal would become a better place if the inter-caste marriage structure was eliminated.
Let us all Nepalese pledge together, not to be shy, to speak aloud about these taboo topics spread awareness through whichever medium we can. Let us make it a better country, a progressive country, an exemplary country. Live and let fellow Nepali live.
