Cultural Taboos and Women’s Well-Being: A Study of Tribal Communities in Telangana

The paper delves into the cultural practices associated with menstruation and the post-natal period that exist in various tribal communities in the state of Telangana. Five predominant tribal groups, namely ‘Lambadi’, ‘Koya’, ‘Gond’, ‘Kolam’, and ‘Chenchu’, were selected for the study. The study’s primary objective is to understand the taboos, beliefs, and other superstitious practices linked to menstruation and the post-natal period. Additionally, it aims to find out how these cultural practices affect women’s health, education, economic well-being, and other possible consequences. The results show that the cultural practices and taboos during menstruation and the post-natal period have negative consequences not only on women’s health but also on their physical well-being, which in turn adversely affect the overall development of the households as well as the community.