On November 28th, 2014 in Bariyarpur, Napal the large Gadhimai festival took place as an act of gratitude to Hindu goddess (1). This festival was center on much controversy as many animal rights activists tried to have it stopped. A petition was going around on the website change.org which received 42,167 signatures in support but was short of the 50,000 needed (3). 80 percent of Nepal's 27 million population are of the Hindu religion. The festival takes place every 5 years. The worshippers who participate in the practices believe that the animal sacrifice appease's the Hindu goddess of power and brings them luck and prosperity (5). The government of Nepal partially funds the festival as the fair brings in tourists and money. Temple authorities also charge entry and parking fees (6). The bodies of the animals, filling the air with the smell of freshly slaughtered meat, will eventually be buried in a large pit. The ritual begins before dawn in the fields outside Gadhimai temple, where a priest trickles his own blood combined with that of a rat, chicken, pigeon, goat, and pig. To end off the first day of the event, thousands of buffaloes enclosed in a compound surrounded by a high wall are decapitated by a group of specially chosen men using curved kukri knives (4). Protesters against the event are encouraged that numbers are down from the previous event and hope so that the numbers keep declining in the next festivals.
In my opinion on the festival is a bit here and there because of the large number of animals that are killed. If the numbers weren't so high I would not have no problem with there rituals since its regarding their beliefs. I wouldn't be one to sign a petition and try to stop it although, even though I may not agree with it. I still think that they should continue to do as they feel they need to to participate in there practices.
Every five years in southern Nepal hundreds of thousands of animals are slaughtered in the name of the Hindu goddess of power Gadhimai at her temple. This is the Gadhimai Mela Festival and is a two day event. This year it is expected that 500 000 animals (goats, buffalo, mice, rats, birds, etc.) will be slaughtered to fulfill a call from the goddess 265 years ago for a sacrifice for saving a Hindu man. Today, these sacrifices are supposed to be so the goddess cures diseases, birth defects and illnesses. It would be nice to say that this tradition of slaughter is based in a deep spirituality and is humane for both the animals and festival goers but I personally feel I cannot. Although this particular year had far less animals then was originally thought due to activists hard work to stop trafficking of animals and petitions to the government by the end of the second day the ground was still wet with blood and a freshly dug hole (arguably the same hole as the years before just re-dug) was filled with skin and heads. I quite understand a religious ceremony to a chosen deity even a sacrifice if done humanly but from the journals of several activists it does not seem that was so. Some animals were decapitated in one blow meaning it was relatively painless for the animal but others took three or four blows or were hacked as they tried to flee. Animals were pulled into the pen after others were killed meaning they would have sensed the coming death. These sacrifices from what I can read were not humane and had no thought to the life forms around them or their own safety. After the animals are killed the carcasses were sold to the highest bidder and not necessarily used for anything but profit. This year many carcasses went rancid because of a dispute between the contractors and locals who claimed the meat was theirs. Due to this bodies were left on the ground for upwards of 24 hours without being moved. It seems this particular part of the tradition is more about money than religion in my opinion and has to be changed drastically or stop to exist. It could be said this festival brings in thousands of dollars due to tourists and devotees but with most animals being illegally moved from India and many arrests and seizures of animals as an outcome is it not a drain on the justice system? I also question the complete aim of the festival if the main reason to keep it is economic growth and the spectacle it has become is now outshining the religious aspects. From one journal it seemed some were praying on the vulnerability of the sick telling them they have to sacrifice if they ever want to be healed as well as rumours of illnesses coming upon those who try to stop animal cruelty. This seems like fear-mongering and an attempt for both slaughter and profits to buy the animals to sacrifice. Yes, this event only happens every five years, yes, animals are killed in sacrifices all over this region and in our own for reasons much less honorable than religion but if we make any issue a battle of comparison than where is the line for something just being wrong on its own? It may be better than some but that doesn't make it right. Not only is this animal cruelty but the festival also breads illnesses in the festival goers with improper sanitation and a closeness to rotting carcasses. I don’t claim to know everything about this tradition or that the way it started is wrong but it seems to have gone astray and needs to be brought to the 21st century or be left behind in history.
THIS IS MY WEEKLY POST AND THIRD TIME TRYING TO SUBMIT THIS AHAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAEDNC /breaks down in tears
Religious sacrifice is common throughout humankind. Be it giving up bacon, or slaughtering 500,000 animals in the name of Gadhimai, there are many religions and many degrees of sacrifice in this world. I strongly believe that the people of Nepal had every right to practice the animal slaughterings during the Gadhimai festival. First of all, 500,000 animals being slaughtered every 5 years is nothing compared to the rest of the world. PETA, a U.S-based organization, describes the sacrifice as an "unorganized killing frenzy"(1). But on average, approximately 9.1 BILLION animals were killed last year in the U.S, making it about 45.5 BILLION that will be slaughtered in the next 5 years (2), these numbers make 500,000 seem miniscule. Some may argue that the U.S. kills animals for food supply, etc. whereas the slaughterings in Nepal are useless but, as the article states, the carcasses of the animals are later sold to vendors. Not to mention the wealth fuelled into the Nepali economy from restaurants and vendors selling to the thousands of tourists that the event attracts(3). Since the animals perform both an economic and religious purpose, it can be argued that the Gadhimai sacrifice is more ethical than other slaughters. Although I would never be able to participate in the Gadhimai festival, I have no place in preventing it from happening. As North Americans, we should all be able to appreciate and practice religious tolerance, even to beliefs we disagree with. I strongly believe that unless your believes conflict with or harm other people, you should be able to practice them. The Gadhimai festival is doing nothing that our country doesn't do every day, the only difference is it's out in the open as opposed to concealed in a farm or a plastic-wrapped container. If I can be an atheist without being stoned to death, the people of Nepal should be able to have a religious sacrifice without being attacked by PETA.
Every five years, hundreds of thousands of animals are sacrificed in the Nepalese Gadhimai festival, which is meant to appease the Hindu deity of the same name. The two-day religious festival resulted in 250,000 animal deaths in the last festival; it is expected, however, that the number will double this year (1). Millions of Indian and Nepalese Hindus take part in the festival, believing that Gadhimai, the goddess of power, will grant wishes if birds and animals are sacrificed to her (2).
I think that the Gadhimai festival is nothing short of barbaric and cruel. Chickens, goats, pigs, and buffalo are slaughtered in a brutal manner on a mass scale. Fortunately, animal rights groups have started campaigns to ban the practice, raising awareness of the issue. The Indian Supreme Court banned illegal entry of animals to Nepal, especially for the purpose of the Gadhimai festival; before this ruling, nearly 70% of animals entering Nepal for the festival came from India (2). While these are all steps in the right direction, it will take more to end the practice for good. Raising more awareness of the issue and pressuring the Nepalese government to ban the Gadhimai festival are both promising ways to keep the archaic tradition where it belongs; in the past.
Weekly post...
ReplyDeleteOn November 28th, 2014 in Bariyarpur, Napal the large Gadhimai festival took place as an act of gratitude to Hindu goddess (1). This festival was center on much controversy as many animal rights activists tried to have it stopped. A petition was going around on the website change.org which received 42,167 signatures in support but was short of the 50,000 needed (3). 80 percent of Nepal's 27 million population are of the Hindu religion. The festival takes place every 5 years. The worshippers who participate in the practices believe that the animal sacrifice appease's the Hindu goddess of power and brings them luck and prosperity (5). The government of Nepal partially funds the festival as the fair brings in tourists and money. Temple authorities also charge entry and parking fees (6). The bodies of the animals, filling the air with the smell of freshly slaughtered meat, will eventually be buried in a large pit. The ritual begins before dawn in the fields outside Gadhimai temple, where a priest trickles his own blood combined with that of a rat, chicken, pigeon, goat, and pig. To end off the first day of the event, thousands of buffaloes enclosed in a compound surrounded by a high wall are decapitated by a group of specially chosen men using curved kukri knives (4). Protesters against the event are encouraged that numbers are down from the previous event and hope so that the numbers keep declining in the next festivals.
In my opinion on the festival is a bit here and there because of the large number of animals that are killed. If the numbers weren't so high I would not have no problem with there rituals since its regarding their beliefs. I wouldn't be one to sign a petition and try to stop it although, even though I may not agree with it. I still think that they should continue to do as they feel they need to to participate in there practices.
Sources
1) http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/28/mass-animal-sacrifice-nepal-festival-protests-gadhimai-hindu
2) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30250517
3) https://www.change.org/p/stop-animal-sacrifice-gadhimai-festival-nepal-mass-animal-sacrifice
4) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/gadhimai-hindu-festival-over-5000-buffaloes-slaughtered-in-nepal-9891849.html
5) http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/28/us-nepal-ceremony-idUSKCN0JC0NA20141128
6) stunning-photos-of-the-worlds-largest-animal-sacrifice-2014-12
El Weekly Posté
ReplyDeleteAt first glance the Nepal Gadhimai Mela festival may appear as an unnecessary slaughter of hundreds of thousands of animals for the sake of religious tradition. While religion and tradition both play integral roles in the festival, they aren't by themselves necessarily good enough reasons to warrant such a mass killing. What redeems this festival is the use of the animals afterwards, and the overall benefit the festival has on the community. Hypothetically, if the animals were simply slaughtered and disposed of I would be disgusted by the festival and would be calling for a more progressive approach to religion that doesn't require the needless slaughter of 500,000 animals, and the waste of perfectly good food. However, both the meat and the bones of the animals are sold to companies in India and Nepal, which helps the economy of the country, helps feed people, and makes full use of the animal’s body(1). What’s important to keep in mind is that while 500,000 animal deaths in two days may seem excessive, the festival only occurs once every 5 years(2), and when you compare this to US stats, it seems minuscule. In 2013 alone 9.1 billion animals were slaughtered in the US, not including aquatic life. This means that 24.9 million animals are slaughtered every day, often in far worse conditions than present in Gadhimai Mela(3). Also important to note is the positive impact this has on the area. Hotels and restaurants thrive during this time, as many people travel from India to participate in the festival, once again improving the economy and the overall quality of life in Nepal(1). Despite my initial reaction of disgust towards this story, after some research and comparative thinking, it is not as far removed from our society as it may seem, they are simply more open with their slaughter and have the motive of religious worship rather than making a profit.
1.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8375591.stm
2.http://www.businessinsider.com/stunning-photos-of-the-worlds-largest-animal-sacrifice-2014-12
3.http://www.humanesociety.org/news/resources/research/stats_slaughter_totals.html
This is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteEvery five years in southern Nepal hundreds of thousands of animals are slaughtered in the name of the Hindu goddess of power Gadhimai at her temple. This is the Gadhimai Mela Festival and is a two day event. This year it is expected that 500 000 animals (goats, buffalo, mice, rats, birds, etc.) will be slaughtered to fulfill a call from the goddess 265 years ago for a sacrifice for saving a Hindu man. Today, these sacrifices are supposed to be so the goddess cures diseases, birth defects and illnesses. It would be nice to say that this tradition of slaughter is based in a deep spirituality and is humane for both the animals and festival goers but I personally feel I cannot.
Although this particular year had far less animals then was originally thought due to activists hard work to stop trafficking of animals and petitions to the government by the end of the second day the ground was still wet with blood and a freshly dug hole (arguably the same hole as the years before just re-dug) was filled with skin and heads. I quite understand a religious ceremony to a chosen deity even a sacrifice if done humanly but from the journals of several activists it does not seem that was so. Some animals were decapitated in one blow meaning it was relatively painless for the animal but others took three or four blows or were hacked as they tried to flee. Animals were pulled into the pen after others were killed meaning they would have sensed the coming death. These sacrifices from what I can read were not humane and had no thought to the life forms around them or their own safety.
After the animals are killed the carcasses were sold to the highest bidder and not necessarily used for anything but profit. This year many carcasses went rancid because of a dispute between the contractors and locals who claimed the meat was theirs. Due to this bodies were left on the ground for upwards of 24 hours without being moved. It seems this particular part of the tradition is more about money than religion in my opinion and has to be changed drastically or stop to exist.
It could be said this festival brings in thousands of dollars due to tourists and devotees but with most animals being illegally moved from India and many arrests and seizures of animals as an outcome is it not a drain on the justice system? I also question the complete aim of the festival if the main reason to keep it is economic growth and the spectacle it has become is now outshining the religious aspects. From one journal it seemed some were praying on the vulnerability of the sick telling them they have to sacrifice if they ever want to be healed as well as rumours of illnesses coming upon those who try to stop animal cruelty. This seems like fear-mongering and an attempt for both slaughter and profits to buy the animals to sacrifice.
Yes, this event only happens every five years, yes, animals are killed in sacrifices all over this region and in our own for reasons much less honorable than religion but if we make any issue a battle of comparison than where is the line for something just being wrong on its own? It may be better than some but that doesn't make it right. Not only is this animal cruelty but the festival also breads illnesses in the festival goers with improper sanitation and a closeness to rotting carcasses. I don’t claim to know everything about this tradition or that the way it started is wrong but it seems to have gone astray and needs to be brought to the 21st century or be left behind in history.
http://www.businessinsider.com/stunning-photos-of-the-worlds-largest-animal-sacrifice-2014-12
http://forcechange.com/59185/end-gadhimai-the-worlds-largest-animal-sacrifice/
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/dec/05/the-diary-of-two-animal-welfare-campaigners-at-the-worlds-biggest-ritual-slaughter
THIS IS MY WEEKLY POST AND THIRD TIME TRYING TO SUBMIT THIS AHAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAEDNC /breaks down in tears
ReplyDeleteReligious sacrifice is common throughout humankind. Be it giving up bacon, or slaughtering 500,000 animals in the name of Gadhimai, there are many religions and many degrees of sacrifice in this world. I strongly believe that the people of Nepal had every right to practice the animal slaughterings during the Gadhimai festival.
First of all, 500,000 animals being slaughtered every 5 years is nothing compared to the rest of the world. PETA, a U.S-based organization, describes the sacrifice as an "unorganized killing frenzy"(1). But on average, approximately 9.1 BILLION animals were killed last year in the U.S, making it about 45.5 BILLION that will be slaughtered in the next 5 years (2), these numbers make 500,000 seem miniscule.
Some may argue that the U.S. kills animals for food supply, etc. whereas the slaughterings in Nepal are useless but, as the article states, the carcasses of the animals are later sold to vendors. Not to mention the wealth fuelled into the Nepali economy from restaurants and vendors selling to the thousands of tourists that the event attracts(3). Since the animals perform both an economic and religious purpose, it can be argued that the Gadhimai sacrifice is more ethical than other slaughters.
Although I would never be able to participate in the Gadhimai festival, I have no place in preventing it from happening. As North Americans, we should all be able to appreciate and practice religious tolerance, even to beliefs we disagree with. I strongly believe that unless your believes conflict with or harm other people, you should be able to practice them. The Gadhimai festival is doing nothing that our country doesn't do every day, the only difference is it's out in the open as opposed to concealed in a farm or a plastic-wrapped container. If I can be an atheist without being stoned to death, the people of Nepal should be able to have a religious sacrifice without being attacked by PETA.
--
1)http://www.peta.org/action/action-alerts/urge-nepal-end-gadhimai-animal-massacre/
2)http://www.humanesociety.org/news/resources/research/stats_slaughter_totals.html
3)http://www.businessinsider.com/stunning-photos-of-the-worlds-largest-animal-sacrifice-2014-12
This is my weekly post
ReplyDeleteEvery five years, hundreds of thousands of animals are sacrificed in the Nepalese Gadhimai festival, which is meant to appease the Hindu deity of the same name. The two-day religious festival resulted in 250,000 animal deaths in the last festival; it is expected, however, that the number will double this year (1). Millions of Indian and Nepalese Hindus take part in the festival, believing that Gadhimai, the goddess of power, will grant wishes if birds and animals are sacrificed to her (2).
I think that the Gadhimai festival is nothing short of barbaric and cruel. Chickens, goats, pigs, and buffalo are slaughtered in a brutal manner on a mass scale. Fortunately, animal rights groups have started campaigns to ban the practice, raising awareness of the issue. The Indian Supreme Court banned illegal entry of animals to Nepal, especially for the purpose of the Gadhimai festival; before this ruling, nearly 70% of animals entering Nepal for the festival came from India (2). While these are all steps in the right direction, it will take more to end the practice for good. Raising more awareness of the issue and pressuring the Nepalese government to ban the Gadhimai festival are both promising ways to keep the archaic tradition where it belongs; in the past.
1. http://www.newsweek.com/pictures-nepalese-festival-where-half-million-animals-will-be-sacrificed-287815
2. http://www.businessinsider.com/stunning-photos-of-the-worlds-largest-animal-sacrifice-2014-12
3. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Animal-sacrifice-in-Nepal-goes-on-despite-protests/articleshow/45326579.cms
4. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2852739/Nepal-devotees-sacrifice-thousands-animals-Hindu-ritual.html