The
anthropologist Elizabeth Enslin was focusing on African cultures when she meets
her future husband und therefore shifts her attention to Nepal. In his home
village she fully immerses in the old and traditional culture which provides
her with deep insight in a very new way of living. Especially the role of women
and the caste system have a lot of astonishing aspects to offer which sometimes
led her to seriously question her decision for living there.
Apart from
some funny, astonishing and sometimes appalling anecdotes, what I really
appreciated about the book was the personal experience and way Elizabeth Enslin
shares them with the readers. Each piece of the puzzle adds to forming a whole picture
of a very different culture which still works according to its own, old
traditions and habits which sometimes seem to be completely out of space.
Additionally, it was very informative and to learn about the structures and
especially about the language, this was the most interesting part for study for
me. Above all, the slow progress of women towards independence and more rights
and the struggle connected with this were very illustrating for readers who
happen to live in a society were equal rights and treatment are not questioned
anymore.
All in all,
a very recommendable read.
