Knowledge, Practice and Changing Process of Chhaupadi Custom: (A Sociological Study of Mangalsain 12 Bannatoli, Achham)

Abstract

This study entitled “knowledge, practice and changing process of ‘chhaupadi’ custom: A sociological study of mangalsain- 12 Bannatoli, Achham’’.menstruation is a biological process that occurs only in women. But in Nepal. Menstruation is viewed differently. In Nepal menstruation is perceived as impure.Menstruation is taken as an untouchable &social custom. ‘Chhaupadi’ custom is traditional practice in which women and girls are banished to touch anything and women and girls have to live in ‘chhu’ hut or cowshed during menstruation. The general objectives of the study to analyse the nature of ‘chhaupadi’ custom from past to present and to study the strong socio- cultural belief and practice on ‘chhaupadi’ custom of Mangalsain municipality -12 Bannatoli, Achham.The data have collected from 30 women and girls; among them I have selected 15 reproductive age women and girls and 15 aged women. For this study, the side for the data has been selected from Mandalsain-12 Bannatoli, Achham. The data was collected by in-depth interview. This study has adopted exploratory in its nature and followed qualitative research method. These studies found that all the participant were practicing of ‘chhaupadi’ custom. The most of the women stay at ‘chhau’ hut. menstruating women are practicing ‘Chhaupadi’ customin Achham. The various factor such as illiteracy, ignorance, traditional belief system, family type, and respondent occupation contribute for practicing‘chhaupadi’ custom. Now, many social activists, Local government, NGOs,INGOs and state has involved to remove ‘chhaupadi’custom and ‘chhau’hut,then women or girl are staying at home, take nutritious food, and use of toilet. Now it is little be changed. But I guess it will still take two or three generations to complete it.