In the original languageTranslation into English
Parties, Periods and the Patriarchy: Predecessors to the Modern-Day Period Party
Authors
Xijie Luo
Rubric:Culture. Culturology
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711
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Annotation
The celebration of a girl’s first period (menarche) may appear as a modern attempt to normalize and de-stigmatize bodily functions like menstruation. Yet, the celebration of a girl’s first period is a widespread event in indigenous cultures around the globe. This paper analyzes the cultural and social implications of these events. The analysis of the modern-day period party, the Pelazon, the Tamil Bathing Ritual and the Hupa flower dance will show that traditional celebrations of menarche are often tied to concerns of pollution, matrimony, and fertility. Nevertheless, even traditional celebrations have been updated to address more contemporary issues like identity and self-care.
Keywords
period party
periods
patriarchy
Authors
Xijie Luo
Rubric:Culture. Culturology
711
6
Share
711
6
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