Michael Allen's The Cult of Kumari, Virgin Worship in Nepal, published by the Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies at Tribhuvan University in 1975, is an ethnographic study of the Nepalese practice of venerating a young pre-pubescent girl as a living goddess, based on Allen's own fieldwork observing the selection, installation and ritual life of a Kumari. Its strength is direct ethnographic observation of a practice that combines Hindu and Buddhist elements in ways specific to the Kathmandu Valley, published through a Nepalese research institute rather than only an outside academic press. Its limit is its age, published half a century ago, before more recent scholarship and public debate over the practice's effects on the children selected, so a claim about the tradition's current form or about contemporary reform efforts needs a more recent source alongside this foundational ethnography.
Facts
Assessment
Reliability Tier1
Michael Allen's The Cult of Kumari, published by the Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies at Tribhuvan University in 1975, is an ethnographic study based on Allen's own fieldwork, treated at the top tier. NotesMichael Allen's ethnographic study of the cult of the Kumari, virgin worship in Nepal.
Citation
AuthorMichael Allen
PublisherInstitute of Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University
Publication Year1975
Source TypeEthnography
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
This source names Kathmandu directly: "elements in ways specific to the Kathmandu Valley, published through a Nepalese research institute rather than only an outside academic press."
This source names Nepal directly: "The Cult of Kumari, Virgin Worship in Nepal, published by the Institute of Nepal and Asian Studies at Tribhuvan University in 1975, is an ethnographic study of the Nepalese practice of venerating a..."
Claims Backed By This Source (23 claims)
This source backs 23 claims across the atlas. As facts: 15 well-attested. As cited relationships: 4 holds. Plus 4 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Religious Roles & Titles, 9 claims: 5 well-attested, 2 holds, 2 general references.
- Sources, 9 claims: 7 well-attested, 2 holds.
- Articles, 3 claims: 3 well-attested.
- Cities, 1 claims: 1 general references.
- Sacred Sites, 1 claims: 1 general references.
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