"First Blood" and other female rules

After reading the first third of Sold, which takes place in Nepal, I became curious about some of the traditions they have. On page 14, Lakshmi mentions getting her "first blood" or first period. "Ama is delighted by my news and sets about making arrangements for my confinement. "You must stay out of sight for seven days," she says. "Even the sun cannot see you until you've been purified." Before the day can begin, Ama hurries me out to the goat shed, where I will spend the week shut away from the world. "Don't come out for any reason," she says. "If you must use the privy, cover your face and head with your shawl..." (14). This tradition of hiding girls away during their first period made me curious to about more of the female traditions and customs in Nepal. According to Nepalvista.com, whenever women get their period, the have to eat and sleep alone for a few days. They must also isolate themselves for a week after giving birth. They also can't go to temple or participate in religious festivals. This concept seemed very foreign and strange to me. It was hard to imagine what might happen if we had traditions like this in America. Girls wouldn't be able to eat with their family when they had their period. Nor would they be able to go to temple or church or any religious practices if they were menstruating. This seems incredibly strange to me and would definitely create a change in our society.