A menstrual
taboo is any social taboo concerned with menstruation. In some societies it
involves menstruation being perceived as unclean or embarrassing. Many
traditional religions consider menstruation ritually unclean.
Many
religions like Hinduism, Islam or Judaism etc. Believe that women are impure
during her mensuration periods and not allowed to make physical relation with
men. Even in Hinduism women are not allowed to do the daily household jobs.
They are not allowed to go in kitchen also, whereas in Islam woman is not
allowed to offer prayer or to perform other religious activities such as
fasting or circumambulating the Kaaba, etc. This is in accordance with the law
of the uncleanliness of any blood. Sexual intercourse with the husband is
strictly prohibited during menstrual periods. However, she can perform all
other acts of social life as normal. Unlike the above religion in Sikhism, a woman is given
equal status to man and is regarded as pure as man is. The Gurus teach that one cannot be pure by washing his body but
purity of mind is the real pureness. Guru Nānak, the founder of Sikhism, condemned the practice of treating
women as impure while menstruating. In Sikhism, the menstrual cycle is not
considered a pollutant. The Guru makes it very clear that the menstrual cycle
is a God-given process. All blood, even that in men, has originated from
menstrual blood. The blood of a woman is
required for the creation of any human being. So it cannot be impure.
Why
people don’t want to talk about it ?
Why
it is awkward?
Many
religions believe that,“Menstrual blood is impure, bad blood”.
Menstrual blood in
ancient times was considered highly powerful and potent. It was used in many
rituals and especially in making magic potions. Even today, anything that is
red in color used in ceremonies is apparently indicative of the ancient ritual
of using menstrual blood.
The other reason I
came across was that menstruating women become open to receiving and absorbing
energy during this time. This means, they can easily absorb other’s energies,
including negative energies. Hence, they are asked to stay away from crowds and
gatherings
“Menstruating women should
not enter temples or participate in religious ceremonies”
