Every 10 years or so a bunch of Nepalese sadists pick a baby (from 2-4 years old) girl to be a "living goddess". Among the trials the successful candidate must endure is spending:
"a night alone in a room among the heads of ritually slaughtered goats and buffaloes without showing fear".
Congratulations little toddler, you survived. Now here's your prize:
"Having passed all the tests, the child will stay in almost complete isolation at the temple, and will be allowed to return to her family only at the onset of menstruation when a new goddess will be named to replace her."
Plus it turns out that this is a "gift" that just keeps on giving:
"Nepalese folklore holds that men who marry a former kumari will die young, and so many girls remain unmarried and face a life of hardship."
In all seriousness, what the hell is wrong with these people??
1 comment:
I saw one of these goddesses years back when visiting Kathmandu. She was on a balcony on an upper floor of the temple. I suppose it's not a fair trade off to have your material needs provided for from age 2-12 and then be a poor spinster afterwards. At the time I didn't know how these girls were recruited. Thanks for posting this.
Tony
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