Nepal’s latest goddess is a six-year-old named Shreeya. She has “eyelashes like a cow” and “a voice as soft and clear as a duck.” Her aides add that she is “fond of biscuits and rice.” She will be isolated in a house and worshiped “until the onset of menstruation” which will make her mortal.
This is all quite fascinating, but the most interesting part is that Shreeya was picked by the Maoist atheists who now run Nepal. In appointing goddesses, the Maoists are continuing the ancient practice of the monarchy they recently abolished.
It seems quite irregular to have atheists appointing goddesses, but the government acknowledges no conflict. One official said, “Just because we are now a republic and no longer have a king or royal priest, does not mean we should end our traditions.”
And I suppose it doesn’t, but it’s hard to justify isolating little girls until puberty just for old times’ sake. Many American fathers would argue that puberty is when the isolation should start .
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