In the quiet village of Tatopani in Myagdi I came across the fascinating story of Satal Devi Gauchan, affectionately known as Mata Moom. My photostory delves into her strong journey, shaped by the challenging Chhopne Pratha – a system that uproots young girls without their consent.
Satal Devi’s story started in hardship; she lost her parents at just one and a half years old. From Nepal’s Thakali indigenous community, she faced the outdated Chhopne system three times, the first at the age of 13. My narrative aims to shine a light on her unique life, portraying the details of a life lived in solitude. A significant part of her life is Hira, a loyal dog who has been her companion for the past year. I aim to capture her essence metaphorically, going beyond the usual narrative to convey the depth of her struggles and triumphs.
Chhopne Pratha: This refers to a practice where, if a young woman leaves her home for work (for example to fetch water or to cut woods) for their living, her Solti (Maternal uncle’s son) will forcefully take her to his home with the help of his friends without her consent. Also, it is said that before taking a woman, they seek approval from the woman’s Fupu (Paternal aunt). If the fupu agrees, the man can take his young cousin and marry her. No consent from the young woman is needed.
