According
to R.C. Swarankar in 'Traditional Female Sex Workers of Rajasthan,
India: An Ethnographic Study of Nat Community.'
'A
girl in a Nat family is distinguished from an early age. Initially
during socialization, a girl who is to lead a married life is
prepared for domestic chores. She is made to observe social
restrictions like high Hindu castes, while a girl who is to be
inducted into prostitution is trained by a retired FSW (patelan)
about the dhandha and its secrets. Such a girl comes in closer
contact with retired FSWs and eventually with the clients and their
activities. The environment and `demonstration effect' mentally
prepare these immature girls. These girls either willingly accept
dhandha or are brainwashed by retired FSWs to accept the same for the
economic and perceived traditional reasons.'
'Nath
Utrai has been a prominent ritual in the Nat community and is
celebrated as a custom. Nath is the nose ring, a Nat girl wears,
which is removed symbolically by her first client. Amongst the
clients, one who pays the highest amount performs the custom of Nath
Utrai. The needy parents' or guardians' first priority is to procure
the maximum possible amount for Nath Utrai. This amount usually
ranges from Rs10,000 to Rs25,000 or even more depending upon the age
and beauty of the girl. The client gets the right to initiate sex
with the virgin girl, who is dressed up like a Hindu high-caste
bride. He is considered her husband and is given priority over other
clients on future visits. Once the deal has been struck, offerings
are made to a deity, followed by a feast for kith, kin and the
community. After such a ritual, a girl is inducted and the community
socially permits her to pursue dhandha. Dhandha, therefore, has a
community sanction, and the control of Nat caste Panchayat. The norms
of dhandha, amongst others, include sex as an occupation, in which a
minimum time essential for intercourse should be spent with clients,
sentimental attachment with clients is forbidden and no Nat male can
be the client of a Nat FSW. These are part of the induction process.'
'The
Nat perceive a girl to be sexually mature soon after the onset of
menstruation. Tradition, economic, and family structure are the
factors responsible for induction of a girl child into prostitution.
Clients' preference for sex with a girl child for sexual pleasure,
and curing an STD via sex with a virgin are the other reasons child
prostitution is practiced in the villages in this study.'
In
my limited time with the foundation and in these villages, I have
seen young girls sit alongside the highway with a male family member
next to them for the sake of negotiation. Usually a mirror hangs in
order to help maintain appearances. In the meantime the children are
running around like children everywhere do, playing games and doing
what children do universally.
While
the foundation did its best to shield me from the horrors associated
with even one moment of this life, the signs were all around me. As I
walked around to find the best spots for photography I would almost
always step on a remnant of a transaction... all the while the girls
would laugh at my reaction, displaying their hardened lives.
One
time we asked a young girl, what do you think of your future? Without
blinking nor pausing, she went on to tell us that this has been
chosen for her and she is to follow in her aunt's footsteps. Her
voice was without color nor emotion, understandably so in such a
cruel world.
The
good people of Nirvanavan Foundation are doing their best to help
expand the choices available. They have initiated schools in ten of
these villages, and have helped make the transition from a lack of
schooling to enrollment in government schools. In spite of incredible
hardships they push forward and have my sincere admiration.
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