Words That Breach Walls:Women's Rituals in Rajasthan

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter explores women's ritual practices in Rajasthan, North India. It emphasizes the permeability of domestic space, the flexibility of the term “domestic”, and the continuity between domicile and extra-domestic spaces. Rajput women's performance of ratijagas — women's “wake” rituals — during weddings and other important occasions is examined. Ratijagas are domestic ritual performances since they occur in households. Any simple distinction between public and private domains when it comes to women's ritual performance is rejected. As travelers to other households for ratijaga performances, for example, women may transform the environments from which they come and to which they travel; what goes on in one household may affect processes in other households. The film Chocolat is used as a comparison, demonstrating that the dynamics highlighted in the materials explored are not specifically Hindu or Indian, but may be seen as broader insights about women's potential influence on religious praxis.