Sati is the Hindu custom of burning the living wife with the deceased husband at his pyre (funeral). It was practiced in India. The meaning of the word "sati" means righteous and the act of Sati brought much respect and honor to the widow and their family. I believe the wife was considered to be the 'property', if you will, of the husband and so when he died the wife had to go with him. But not all widows voluntarily committed this act of what may be considered suicide. Some were forced to do it begging and screaming against their will. The custom is believe to not have religious roots but social origins, dating back to 400 A.D. In 1829 the practice of "Sati" was outlawed by the ruling British government. However, old norms die hard. It took several decades before the practice really ceased and even still there were a few recorded incidents as recent as 1987.
In our western culture this act would be consider a human rights violation. It is against our laws and mores. It would basically be considered an act of murder or at the very least suicide, if the widow voluntarily performed the act.
The Hindu culture could most likely defend this practice as a cultural norm, historically accepted as far back as 400A.D.
Personally I do not agree with the practice at all. I believe it to be primitive and unacceptable.
Your thoughts?
Wikipedio.org. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice) (Last updated 22 January 2011)
This by far is the most intersting blog I've read today. I totally agree with you. There is just no way I can condone such a practice. Life is such a precious thing to be considered as someone elses property. Your life is you personal life for a reason. I guess this brings some symbolic meaning to the phrase "to death do we part". Then again, this is just a half of step above or below suicide bombing if you ask me.
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