People of Bantoli (Part 3)

A conversation with Linda Pascotto, President of The Prem Rawat Foundation, about the people of Bantoli.

Collecting wood and leaves from the jungle

Is there discrimination against women?

Age-old taboos preclude women from performing certain tasks including plowing, sowing the seeds of the main rice crop, and tiling the roofs of houses. They are liable to endure social punishment if they violate these taboos. Hence, they cannot gain independent capability in agricultural production or the acquisition of shelter.

Such discrimination did not exist in foraging tribes, but as the tribes settled, they assimilated the taboos of settled tribes. With high male alcoholism and migration, such limitation in the power of women is a serious issue.

Woman and child working in a rock quarry	Children playing while parents are in the jungle collecting wood