প্রাচীন নারী-পৌরোহিত্যের ক্ষীয়মাণ অবশেষ অথবা রূপকথার ‘ডালিমকুমার’

Abstract

The relationship of the child-bearing woman with the fruitful world is a universal idea. The productive forces of the earth and the productive forces of the women are considered to be one and the same. In the ancient societies, especially in the agrarian maternal societies, women played the role of priests. The ancient magic-based practices of fertility were exclusively controlled by the women. Those women-priests were considered in various ancient societies to be the guardians of the goddess of grain. But in course of time, patriarchal society has persecuted these women-priests and removed them from the history. Now male-priests dominate fertility practices. This article mainly focuses on the ancient practice of women-priesthood, a forgotten tradition, the memories of which have survived through some rituals, beliefs and folk literature. Providing references from various ancient sources, literature and folk tales, the author tries to unveil the lost links of this past tradition and discuss how the rights of women-priests have been violated through oppression.