Taboos: A Stain on Humanity

Inhuman & Baseless Tattoos

What is taboo?

A taboo refers to any action or ritual which is prohibited in a community on religious or cultural grounds. Taboos are usually too repulsive or too sacred to practice. The word ‘taboo’ comes from the Fijian word ‘tabu’ or the Tongan word ‘tapu’ meaning forbidden or prohibited. Some of the rituals are related to food or similar items and are perfectly acceptable and harmless. Some, on the other hand, are barbaric and baseless. These malpractices are common in third-world countries although some first world countries practice them too. Knowing about them is necessary in case you travel to some remote part of the globe and are faced with such atrocities. 

Some Commonly Practiced Taboos

We witness several events every day without even realizing that they’re taboos. Since I live in India, I talk from personal experience. If a cat crosses your way, it’s a bad omen and you must either spit on the road or stop for a while before moving on. None must look at you with one eye open or maybe none should call you from behind when you’re leaving home. There are numerous other examples of taboos in our daily life but they’re harmless. Society would indeed be a better place without such taboos but they don’t cause much trouble either. We often want to give them up but the society doesn’t let us. On the other hand, there are taboos which are cause of concern and very often question the very tenets of humanity.

The Dark Side of Taboos

There is a darker side of taboos that is cloaked from the community. Several backward communities across the world practice certain rituals that are otherwise unacceptable to the civilized world. I have done some research on taboos and these are the most inhuman ones I came across. 

Cannibalism and Necrophagy

The Aghori babas of Varanasi, India are known to practice cannibalism. I have put this on the top of my list as I am from India. My opinion in this matter is biased without a doubt. Hinduism restricts the cremation of five types of people: holy men, unmarried or pregnant women, and people who have died of leprosy or snake bites. These people are set afloat down the Ganges and the Aghori pull them up and ritually consume them.

Self-Flagellation

Followers of the Shi’a sect of the Muslim community carry out the ritual of self-flagellation in the holy month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The men whip themselves with blades attached to chains. Apparently, they don’t feel pain in this gruesome display.

Vine-Jumping

In the village of Bunlap, Pacific Archipelago, a ritual called Gskol is performed. It is like bungee jumping except for the part that they tie vines around their ankles and jump from very high wooden towers. Their fall is broken by vines but most often they break some bones. The belief is that a higher jump ensures blessings from God.

Impaling

The annual vegetarian festival in Thailand hosts one of the most brutal rituals in the world. They pushed knives, spears, swords, hooks, and even guns through their cheeks in the belief that God would enter their body, protect them, and bring good luck for them.

Scarification

A tribe in Papua New Guinea, Kaningara, modifies their skin like the crocodile. Apparently, it strengthens the connection between man and his spiritual environment and is a symbol of manhood. An expert cutter cuts their bodies with sharp pieces of bamboo. They believe that the crocodile is the creator of man.

What can we do?

Abolishing all taboos to create a humanitarian world is difficult but not impossible. Reform must begin at grassroot levels. Declaring the taboos illegal doesn’t help as they continue to haunt us in the shadows. The most effective way is to educate the backward sections of the society. It is our duty to enlighten them and make them realize that the gods don’t demand such brutal sacrifices. Reformation on such a huge scale will take time but I believe we can overcome it one day.