I have discussed how matrifocal tradition viewed semen as nurture and equated it with the rain. This idea was in contrast to patrifocal idea of the womb as nurture and its identification with the earth. As an example for matrifocal ideas getting mixed with patriarchal gods, I had talked about northern Indian tradition of women stripping to please the rain god, Indra.
Now, it appears this tradition could be found in Dravidian lands too. I wonder whether the idea was again a syncretization of the older matrifocal world view with the later partrifocal ideas independently in South or it came to South because of the northern migrations.
The article doesn't say who the aroused rain god is. Most likely Indra and not Varuna.
Newspaper article h/t: Nirmuka Facebook page.
3 comments:
That is the privilege God have!!
In any case all said and done theoretically looking back at customs and traditions, I feel many such acts based more on the secondary status of women .dont u think so?
I feel many such acts based more on the secondary status of women .dont u think so?
Not sure in this particular case.
We can infer the secondary status if the tradition started with the ascendency of male priests and their machista gods. This can even be a mockery of matrilocal ideas as we can see it as a pervert syncretization.
However, if the concept of a male rain god predates the entry of Indra and Varuna to Indian milieu in historical times then probably it was just a limitation of matrilocal ideas.
I would say it can be a sure case of the continuation of matrilocal tradition if Brahmin women were/are part of this tradition. However, we can't rule out the continuity even if they were not part of this tradition.
Of course, the background that the whole idea of naked appeasement of the rain god stems from two ideas - semen is like rain and the rain is controlled by a god- needs to be true in the first place.
"Of course, the background that the whole idea of naked appeasement of the rain god stems from two ideas - semen is like rain and the rain is controlled by a god- needs to be true in the first place".
It is possible that the concept of semen being like rain , impregnating and fertilising- and if so, then men too should engage in nude revelry and dance.. Why only women?
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