The power of the blood: myths and practices surrounding menstruation in Indonesian diamond mining

Riza Priandhita, Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    4 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This paper is a feminist investigation into the beliefs and practices surrounding menstruation among traditional artisanal diamond mining women in the Muslim Banjar ethnic community in rural parts of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Based on feminist ethnographic field methods, it investigates how these women interpret the religious and cultural restrictions in their everyday lives as miners, and how their beliefs influence their attitudes toward diamond mining. While the women have different economic and social backgrounds, and have experienced and experience menstruation differently, they are all involved in diamond mining. This article shows that, contrary to popular belief, menstrual blood is considered lucky in this traditional diamond mining community, and it considers the wider implications for a deeper understanding of gender in mining.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)72-86
    Number of pages15
    JournalSouth East Asia Research
    Volume31
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2023

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