Breaking the Spell: The Truth About Nazar and Empowerment for South Asian Women
I’ve got a story to share with you all about my friend, let’s call her Rupa. Rupa and I have been friends for years and she’s always been the type of person to wear her heart on her sleeve. But lately, I noticed a change in her. She seemed more anxious, more stressed out, and a lot more superstitious.
It all started when Rupa’s aunt gave her a “nazar battu” (evil eye bead) to wear as a necklace. According to Rupa’s aunt, the bead would protect her from any negative energy or bad luck. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I mean, who doesn’t like a little extra protection, right? But as time went on, I started to notice Rupa becoming more and more dependent on this little blue bead.
It wasn’t just the nazar battu, either. Rupa started to become more superstitious in general. She wouldn’t step on cracks in the sidewalk, she wouldn’t leave the house without first doing a puja (prayer), and she even stopped eating certain foods because they were “inauspicious”.
I could see how all of this was affecting Rupa’s mental health. She was constantly worried about things beyond her control and she was putting a lot of pressure on herself to make sure that everything was “just so” in order to avoid bad luck.
Now, I know that nazar and other superstitions are a big part of our South Asian culture. And I completely understand why Rupa and so many other South Asian women feel compelled to believe in them. But the thing is, life is unpredictable. And ultimately, we are the ones who are in control of our own destinies.
So, my message to all of you is this: don’t let superstitions hold you back. Don’t let fear and anxiety control your thoughts and actions. Remember that you are strong and capable and that you have the power to shape your own future.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the “what-ifs” in life, just remember that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together, brown girls! Let’s support and uplift each other as we navigate the complexities of our culture and our mental health.
Xoxo,
Brown Women Health
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