She looks like she's constantly thinking "wtf"

"She is happy" Her face: 😒

Is no one concerned about how not walking is going to affect her muscle development in her legs? What happens then?

So the moment the young girl gets her period, she's dethroned and replaced as if one is damaged goods. Talk about having your first period truly being a blessing to release you from this ritualistic practice.

“How was your childhood?” *I was treated like a goddess*

The fact that they take a child into a room and a bunch of men look for the "32 physical perfections" deeply disturbs me.

I’m just happy that they’re allowing these girls to continue their studies ❤️

From what was said by Sumika, the woman who is an ex-kumari, it sounds like this actually is not developmentally destructive at all, despite the many biased Westerners in the comments. Sumika seems to look back very fondly upon her time as Kumari, she's studying for her master's in communication, has a successful career, she has a lot of hope for the future and has no obvious sign of any emotional problems. Based on the unusual access to education the woman who is an ex-Kumari has in a country where the average income is about $4,000 per year and the vast majority do not enter the higher education system, I wouldn't be surprised if she or her family also were paid a lot for her work as Kumari and their work helping her fulfill that role, similar to child actors in the West, except with a role which is much more respected and seems to require less energy and time (since the acting looks relatively easy and there are no lines to memorize), meaning it doesn't hold back education in the way being a child actor often does. The part about menstruation having such a central role in defining the role of Kumari does seem like it will probably be interpreted by the community and by Kumari herself as meaning that menstruation is "impure." If that is the interpretation, that particular part of this is sexist and harmful. There is likely a way to keep the entire tradition completely unchanged by just framing menstruation as signifying a new stage of life in which the girl becomes more fully capable of reason, like a Bat Mitzvah in Judaism or Confirmation in Catholicism. Maybe Kumari's role has to do with being a child with fewer preconceptions and a different and more intuitive consciousness and way of looking at things which is not fully comprehensible to an adolescent or an adult. Honoring and respecting the unique wisdom and insight of young children is a good thing. I am not sure the West is in any position to act superior to this, considering Western media and culture focus on sexualizing girls almost as soon as they can walk, and Disney children's movies like Cinderella also seem to frame young girls whole future in terms of their attractiveness to rich and powerful men. All of that is at least as developmentally destructive as the apparent traditional attitude about menstruation propagated by the Kumari tradition, and the West spreads those destructive attitudes around the world. I've personally seen the lives of many girls I grew up with greatly harmed by internalizing the goal of getting "rescued" by some rich and powerful, perfect Prince Charming who is going to solve all of a young woman's problems if she just sacrifices or delays her own life and her own goals enough to prove she is the right match for him. Even the current Kumari in this video is influenced by Disney Cinderella. Is this the attitude that Westerners think should influence young girls instead of the Kumari tradition?

Kumari Goddess also does her homework....Dang the teachers didnt forgive the Gods

"when u say u gonna do a natural wing eyeliner but then 10mins later"

I’m very happy that her older sister is helping her :)

My first quest in search of the Kumari was filled with my hope and desire to simply find a legendary person that had alluded me for years. My second hope was to meet and photograph the Kumari. I accomplished this yet at the same time failed when I realized that I was in front of a small child that could become a “tourist attraction” much like the unfortunate fate of the Bhaktapur Kumari several years ago. However in turn I received something else that was perhaps far more valuable which stood by all of us. When confronted with meeting the world’s only living goddess I saw something that touched my heart. I saw a little girl called Samita shouldering the weight of a cultures legacy, history and responsibility...

Oh so this is the "the floor is lava" expert

I wonder how many Kumari have accidentally touched the ground but never told anyone because they were too scared

Man the music made this sound so unsettling. I’ve visited Nepal a few times n I speak Nepali n honestly, to the ppl of Nepal the Kumari is equal to a deity and from the way the father spoke in this video it seemed that his daughter becoming the current Kumari was an honor for his family. It might sound strange from a western pov, which I wouldn’t blame ppl for finding it different or odd but it’s their culture n I hope ppl would respect that. After all the world is huge n there r many things we don’t know, many different things that to some is a common everyday thing & to some it might very strange. That’s just how things r 🤷‍♀️

As a Nepalese girl myself, I’m glad I didn’t have to go through this stuff. I cant imagine not being able to do basic things like run and play, make friends etc. The only thing she probably likes about this is that she’s considered a god.

"Cinderella, snow white, and that one" The 3 classics

Him: She is happy Me: Are you serious...Look at her face and say that again...

The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal is not only the land of many mountain peaks but also many Gods and Goddess, unique among all of them being the living, breathing goddess - Kumari Devi, a deified young girl. To be precise, ‘Kumari,’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Kaumarya’ or ‘virgin,’ and ‘Devi’ means ‘goddess.’ The custom of worshiping a pre-pubescent girl, who is not a born goddess, as the source of ‘Shakti’ or supreme power is an old Hindu-Buddhist tradition that still continues to this day in Nepal. This practice is based on the belief as described in the Hindu scripture of Devi Mahatmya that the supreme Mother Goddess Durga, who is thought to have manifested the entire creation out of her womb, lives in the inner recesses of every woman in this entire cosmos.

Taking her into a dark room with some priests and no one can watch sounds pretty sketchy.

Interviewer: So, tell me a bit about yourself. Former-Kumari: well, for starters I was a goddess.

Kumari: looks around * *starts aggressively tap dancing* *

This would mess any child up… you can see it in her eyes that somethings not right

She when grown up: im ex goddess 😎 Stop aside ajoke, this is terrifying

“I was a girl in the village doing alright, but I became a goddess overnight”

Period be like "I'm ending this god's whole career"

I swear there's atleast two disney channel shows with this plot

I respect that this is their tradition & all I just genuinely hope it has no negative effect on her in the long run. Her sister seems to be so sweet!!

Dad: "She is happy" Bro, she looks like she is about to stand up and murder that priest.

Father: She is happy! Girl: *sad face*

School friends: “the floor is lava” This girl:

i don;t think ppl should be doing this....she is just a kid, she has the right to live a normal life

*never touched floor before* kumari: *sits on floor*

Wonder if she rebelliously puts her foot on the ground when no one is around.

I don’t really know how to thank your *akor the great* you are sure a wonderful spiritualist ,your work is so amazed me keep it up,once again thanks for bring back my relationship back to me.

Wow thats really... unique. Inspired to write a story suddenly.

imagine she needs to learn how to walk when shes 12

Okay but imagine if a girl got picked just never got her period. Just spent the rest of her life as a goddess.

I have seen them in Nepal. This feeling was different. Kumari goddess look so beautiful.

We have a similar one here in the Philippines in Panay Island. In that tribe, there's this called the "Binukot" literally means Confined or Secluded. They never leave the house, nor can their feet touch the ground. And when they do,they are placed in a carriage that is lifted up by men. Most of times called princess's as they have fair skin and beautiful. The title is passed down from generation to generation. Stories of the tribe are told by the binukot through an Epic, but in a form of song.

Can’t she just wear shoes? Her feet technically wouldn’t be touching the ground.

Why menstruation always represents impurity? I'm so tired of the negative connotation people gives to this natural process

Yearsago I saw a documenmtary about Kumari. One girl couldn't adjust when she hit puberty and still styled herself the goddess, with some folks still coming to honor her.

I love learning about other cultures

No one can escape teachers and homework, not even a Goddess.

The past Kumari took it well. Disney kids end up needing therapy once the fame is gone.

There’s a webtoon about this called “For the Sake of Sita” iirc, made me cry so goddamn hard a few years back

I am speechless.

Her winged liner is so intense she could use them wings to fly

I know she's only like seven, but like, she is legit like super intimidating and scary

Childhood devastated

I just wish people would leave children alone

Her fingers constantly moves, feel like she is way more stressed in this small age.😞

"The priest takes the children, puts them in a dark room, and performs rituals we aren't allowed to see" Uhhhh.......

People are barking in comment section that what about Kumari's childhood fun and education Chill bro she is happy We don't need your opinion If you don't like this then don't watch okay👍👍 Everytime hinduism is being mocked by other ppl even sometimes by its own ppl Shame on these ppl!

Love studying different cultures.

When you make the floor is lava your whole religion

Imagine being goddess sitting down in the middle of the road and some one makes u laugh and u have to hold it I wouldn’t be able lol

Sisters are a blessing

I dont get who we are to judge anyone. Each culture has its norms and its traditions. Stripping those away is a form of homogenization that has not made western societies happy in the least. Who are we to say that is the way? What touched me most was the preciousness of the relationship between these sisters. They seem like they will lifelong be closer than most. To help eachother through what must be difficult. That beautiful sisterhood will at least be a blessing to them in the future.

Bruh that eyeliner has 0 chill

As Kumari, she didn’t talk for years. After being dismissed, she studies Communication. Make sense :)

What's the soundtrack/acapella/choir name in the beginning that goes "AaaaaaAAAAaaaaa..."? Please help. It's relaxing.

Jeez she looks so happy

Dad: "She is happy" Kumari: *looks angrily at everyone all the time*

"She is happy" (Looks pissed the entire time) me

Fascinating

This is remind me about a beautiful short webtoon series "For the Sake of Sita" by Haga that taken same story background.

When you take the floor is lava *to a whole new level*

ULTIMATE winner of the floor is lava

I have to research this more. Interesting

It is a different way of life for sure, I could never do it, but I have respect for those who do and wouldn’t change it

Period: *Im gonna end this Child's whole Career!* Kumari: You may. Im bored here!

What do they mean priests take children into dark rooms to find 32 physical perfections during special prayers? Anyone else see a problem with that..

This little girl is probably thinking, this sucks, I want to go to America to eat hotdogs.

2:54 - even gods could not escape homework !! 😂😂

bullies : my dad is a lawyer kumari's: im an ex goddes :)

The earlier Kumari: She was Kumari and hardly spoken to anyone. Now she is working in communications... Wow

The main problem I have with the thought that this goes on today, is that their is a possibility of manipulation and possibly r1p3 from a Priest to the Kumari, saying it is a "ritual" that she cannot say to anyone. When I was a child I was almost manipulated into that kind of state from a pastor that got arrested. I do not mean to insult this in anyway possible, but that thought leaves me worried.

Idk if they did this on purpose… but the music behind this doc. (After the intro) Is like an ethereal acoustic version of the X-Files theme instrumental

Imagine when she grows up and finds a job, what is she going to write on the CV 😂 Job experience : ex god.

Nepalese: Our goddess, Kamuri, is a very honored deity in Nepal. Western People: yoo shes the floor is lava expert

"32 Physical perfections" wow it pains my heart to imagine what happens💔😪

this is the only thing that came into my head when she said she was interested in eyeliner: maybe it's a deity in human form, maybe it's maybelline

I'm going to address the elephant in the room... They don't let her leave, they don't let her speak, they don't let her play, they don't let her go to school; It sounds like child abuse to me.

Humans are the oddest creatures on this pale blue dot.

Intellect is a blessing and a curse.

If anyone wants an update, she’s not the kumari anymore. Near the end of 2017 it was given to another girl. The new girl was only 3 years old.

The poor girl, she looks miserable :’(

If she smiles its a curse... WHAT IF SOMEONE TELLS A JOKE?

A tradition that faithfully honors a goddess, in my opinion I believe it is virtuous and futuristic. The mere thought of it brings me peace.

Love from India 🤗🇮🇳🇳🇵

I am from Nepal and I would like to point out a few facts after reading the comments. 1) Kumaris can walk, they are allowed to walk within their homes and the temple she resides in as her home, since it's considered holy grounds and everything sharp is removed from the floor. So the title of the video is a bit misguiding. 2) It's not just Period that gets a Kumari out as from being a Kumari. If she gets an injury and bleeds from any parts, even fingers or legs, then she can no longer be the Kumari. 3) After she gets her period, she will continue as a normal girl but the government usually supports her with financial help as compensation as well as the people.

I'm no expert but pretty sure a child shouldn't go through this

Anyone here read "The Lives of Christopher Chant" by Diana Wynne Jones? One of characters, the Goddes Asheth was obviously inspired by Kumari.

The priest exam thing sounds like SA

Job Interviewer: So tell me about your past job experience. Kid: Well i was a God

Everyone talking about how they are taking away her childhood, but her older sister is actually so sweet and kind, and deserves some appreciation.

U don't need to make captions auto if you already have fucking captions in the video itself

Love from nepal