Huts as Heritage: the role of an architectural concept in the Nepal practice of menstrual exclusion

📅 Date: October 10 17:00 - 19:00
🏛️ Location: Daryll Forde Room, 230, 2nd Floor, UCL Anthropology Dept, 14 Taviton St, London WC1H 0BW
🖥️ Join us on Zoom: Click Here to Participate
🔑 Zoom ID: 952 8554 1412 | Passcode: Wawilak

Discover the intricate relationship between architectural concepts and cultural practices in far western Nepal in this enlightening presentation by Dr. Stefanie Lotter. 🌍✨

Dr. Lotter will delve into how two core religious ideals—the architectural concept of the domestic mandala from Vastu Shastra and the idea of ritual impurity (ashaucha)—inform the practice of menstrual exclusion known as chaupadi. Unveiling visual examples of Nepali homes, she will explicate how these beliefs contribute to the broader theme of cosmic harmony (Dharma Shastra).

This session also addresses the societal changes since chaupadi was criminalized in 2018, shedding light on household responses to altering traditions. 🏡🚫

Dr. Stefanie Lotter is affiliated with SOAS, University of London, and has been a Co-Investigator on the research project 'Dignity Without Danger', funded by the British Academy.

📸 Photo Credit: Rajya Laxmi Gurung, healing ceremony in Dailekh
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