Bali Airbnb tour bans ‘menstruating women’ from participating

‘Is this still a thing?’ Outrage as Bali Airbnb tour refuses to take bookings from women on their PERIOD

• The Bali-Gate of Heaven, Swing & Waterfall tour prohibits menstruating women
• A woman took to Instagram to highlight the rule on the listing
• Balinese culture considers certain bodily fluids to be ‘cuntaka’ or impure 

By Karen Ruiz For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 17:12 BST, 18 June 2019 | Updated: 02:40 BST, 19 June 2019

A Balinese tour advertised on Airbnb has sparked outrage for banning women on their period from participating. 

The tour, run by a company named ‘GetBaliGuide’, offers travellers a whirlwind tour of some of the Indonesian island’s biggest attractions. 

For $84 per person, guests are treated to a trip to Candidasa Beach, the royal water garden Tirta Gangga, the Tukad Cepung waterfall and Tegalalang rice terrace.

However, the listing includes one striking caveat, stating: ‘Ladies prohibited during menstruation’

Tourists are also given a tour of the iconic Lempuyang ‘Gate of Heaven’ temple and a swing over the jungle in Kumulilir. 

WHAT IS ‘CUNTAKA?’

The Balinese term ‘cuntaka’ translates to ‘unclean’ or ‘spiritually impure.’

Certain bodily fluids such as menstrual blood and breast milk, are considered cuntaka and women who are on their periods are forbidden from entering sacred areas. 

The rule is not limited to women but applies to anyone who may have an open wound and is bleeding. 

A person can be considered impure due to certain forbidden acts such as incest and bestiality.

People who are in mourning are also prohibited from sacred places because the state can affect their spiritual cleanliness.

Source: Now Bali 

However, the listing includes one striking caveat, stating: ‘Ladies prohibited during menstruation.’ 

The rule was highlighted on social media by a woman who questioned the practice. 

‘Wait, is this actually still a thing?’ her Instagram post read.  

But the practice is actually common across sacred Balinese places.  

Many Balinese temples and spiritual sites consider menstruation to be ‘cuntaka.’ 

The term translates to ‘unclean’ or ‘impure’ and can refer to other bodily fluids such as breast milk, according to the Bali Advertiser. 

The rule is not limited to women but applies to anyone who may have an open wound or other impure excretions. 

People who have recently experienced a loss would also be considered impure as a state of mourning can affect their spiritual cleanliness. 

A similar posting for a sunset tour of the Tanah Lot Temple also states women who are menstruating will not be allowed inside. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Airbnb for comment.

The jungle swing has become one of the island’s most popular attractions

   

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk