Women are prohibited from entering into this island

Okinoshima is an island in Japan which still follows the ancient traditions and taboos and has this customary controversial ban of women entering into that island. It is a religious heritage of Japan which is a part of a city named Munakata, Fukuoka in Japan.

The ICOMOS- International Council on Monuments and Sites, an advisory body stressed the UNESCO on bringing this rich cultural heritage in the World Heritage list on Saturday. It is likely to be ratified at the upcoming meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in  Krakow, Poland in July. If this is approved then this will join Japan’s cultural assets list among the others.

About the island:

Okinoshima still follows the authoritarian rules and regulations since the olden times. This island bans any women from setting foot on her. Even men who are entering the island has to perform some self-cleansing rituals before entering into the island. The island practices prayers for the safety of ships and successful exchange of goods and commodities with the people of the Korean peninsula and China between the fourth and ninth centuries. Over 80,000 artifacts were brought gifts from overseas haver been found on the island which includes gold rings from Korean peninsula and glass cup fragments from Persia. They have been named as national treasures.

Some other places in the world which ban the entry of women:

There are still many places in the world which prohibit the entry of women due to some religious beliefs. So, here are those places which follow strict taboos for prohibiting women.

1. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the toughest places to get a visa for especially if you are a lone women traveller. The country has some strict rules and it had stopped giving visas to women travelers since 2010 sources says. You can get a visa only if you are accompanied by some men of your relatives or your spouse. Otherwise, it is difficult to get a visa for that country.

2. Mount Omine, Japan

This is another UNESCO cultural heritage in Japan which bans women from entering into that mountain same as Okinoshima. The ban was said to be imposed back in 1872 and only men were allowed to travel the rocky mountain paths which lead to a Buddhist temple. The customary belief is that women were considered as a distraction for the monks in there who are determined to get the enlightenment.

3. Hindu temples in India

This is a customary practice in India that women are prohibited from entering into the temple when they are in their menstruation. It is a belief that women on these days are considered to be impure. The same goes for overseas travelers who are restricted from entering into the shrine where the god is consecrated. Otherwise, they can enter the temple premises but not during the menstruation days.

4. Mount Athos, Greece

This is another mountain which restricts women which is a long tradition from olden days. The mount is called the Holy mountain which even bans certain female animals from possessed by the people. However, some women travelers have sneaked into the mount dressing them as monks.

5. Haji Ali Dargah Shrine, Mumbai, India

This is one of Mumbai’s most famous emblematic tourist attraction which bans the entry of women into the Dargah. This place carries the tomb of the Sufi saint Haji Ali Bukhari which dates back to the 15th century. This holy place draws on an average of 15000 to 20000 visitors daily. But the place barred the entry of women into the shrine stating that it is un-Islamic for women to enter. This has angered a lot of women’s activist groups and they state that this as a clear discrimination of women. However, the government didn’t take any action on this issue so the ban is still on.

Although women are banned from entering into certain places, women are considered to represent goddess in many religions. So, let us spread equity in treating both the genders equally.

Thanks for reading. 🙂