Chhau practice continues in Sudurpaschim

By Our Correspondent,Baitadi, Nov. 29: Birth and death are universal truths, yet in the Sudurpaschim region of Nepal, these natural processes are still regarded as impure due to long-held superstitions. Menstruation is labelled Nani Chhau, childbirth is called Thuli Chhau, a death in the family is referred to as Made Chhau, and members of the Dalit community face caste-based untouchability known as Jat Chhau. These discriminatory customs remain deeply rooted in the districts of Sudurpaschim Province.

A household where a baby is born is called a Huni Chhau home, and except for close relatives, others avoid drinking water from that house. Similarly, when a family is in mourning after a death, water from that household is not accepted by others for 13 days.

Astrologer Ganesh Prasad Pant stated that such practices have no place in any of the world's major religious scriptures. He said, “The person observing the mourning ritual avoids onions, garlic, and many other foods, yet society still calls her impure. Even relatives do not fully participate in funeral rites except those of the same lineage. Women are barred from attending cremations or performing rituals. These harmful superstitions need to be eliminated.”

Pant further shared that to challenge this discrimination, he personally visits Dalit settlements to perform rituals. Despite difficulties, he has launched a campaign to conduct religious ceremonies for every caste and gender according to Hindu scriptures.

Dalit activist Madan Tiruwa said that although laws exist to end Chhaupadi and caste-based discrimination, weak implementation has prevented real social change. He urged local governments and political parties to launch strong and practical campaigns to eliminate such traditions.

During funerals, it is customary to throw 10 to 15 kilograms of grains such as wheat, maize, soybean, and rice at crossroads as offerings to spirits. Important belongings of the deceased, such as clothes, books, diaries, and documents, are also discarded at cremation sites, causing valuable personal and historical records to be lost.

In Sudurpaschim and Karnali, a long white cloth called Baata is carried at the front of a funeral procession. These cloths range from 20 to 50 meters in length. According to Pant, “Birds can at least eat the grains thrown at crossroads, but there is no mention of the Baata cloth in any religious texts. This unnecessary expense only creates fear among children when the cloth is stretched across cremation grounds.”

Due to the psychological impact of seeing these clothes, many children become anxious and are later taken to shamans (Dhami Jhankri) for treatment, claiming they have been affected by spirits. Since many cremation sites lie along school routes, children often develop fear and anxiety, which affects their education.