Culture

Both Buddhist and Hindu’s alike in Nepal choose their new living goddess or, kumari, this past year. Her name is Matina Shakya and she is three years of age. This is a big long time custom from Nepal's monarchy that was stopped legally in May. The priests and President has welcomed there new kumari and was picked by them. Matina is worshipped by many and is thought to be the living form of the influential Hindu god Taleju. The people and whom ever else comes across her way will be routinely kissed her at her feet, which is a highly respectful thing to do. This reminds me on this article on how that one reporter threw his shoes at former president Bush, in their culture this is a huge sign of disrespect. It is always interesting to see which cultures think what is ok within society. Anyways this girl was incompetion with other two to four year olds, considered to be a kumari. They are all from an impoverished Shakya goldsmith caste. First they are examined to see if the have perfect bodily features and she also must not be scared of the dark. Next the remaining contestants are put into a dark room (with no sign of fear) filled with heads of slaughtered goats and buffaloes. When the kumari is chosen, she will live in the capital of Katmandu, until she gets or first period. Then the whole process restarts. Matina’s father has mixed feelings of both sad and pride for his daughter. But this culture is judged for this ritual, saying that this goes against Naples policies on child rights. Also, when the kumari has hit puberty, and goes back to the village it’s not easy to go from national figure to her usual life. But all culture have their critics, when we look at them from our eyes, it is easy to judge, when they can do the exact thing. When we say they are wrong, who ever ‘they’ may be, sometimes we have to look at ourselves. Our culture can be crazy just as any other. When you judge someone else, don’t be so quick to. And first look at yourself. Culture is hard thing to decide who is right or wrong. Maybe we are all wrong, or all right, who knows, I just think you can believe whatever you want, as long as you don’t hurt anyone or judge others for their believes, that all I can say and that’s all I know.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/world/article.html?Nepal_appoints_new_living_goddess&in_article_id=342694&in_page_id=64