ABSTRACT
By detailing and analysing the origin and meaning of nariandolon, a Christian women’s movement, in a Bangladeshi region, this chapter shows how Christian women, while enjoying greater physical mobility than their Muslim counterparts, are constrained by Christian and Muslim men’s politics. It argues that the control of female sexuality is also of utmost importance in maintaining group boundaries and social hierarchy in Doria. In Doria the ideologies of honour/shame, purity/pollution and parda most directly affect the cultural notions of gender and sexuality. For instance, all communities believe that various complications of children’s and women’s disease, illness or death are caused by certain evil spirits. The socioeconomic changes which led to the dispersion of the Christian community in Doria caused it to feel threatened and insecure. The anxiety of community was reflected in the emphasis its members began to place on various symbols in order to distinguish themselves from ‘others’ as well as to create sense of belonging, of identity.
