Menstrual beliefs and lived experiences among tribal women in South Karnataka, India—at the forest’s edge

Menstrual traditions vary significantly across regions and ethnic groups in India, although little is known about menstrual experiences within tribal communities. This study is the first to examine menstrual customs and lived experiences of tribal women living in rural southern Karnataka, specifically at the edges of Nagarahole and Bandipur National Parks. In-depth interviews were conducted with 28 women from four tribes across 18 villages. Transcripts were translated from Kannada to English and analysed using grounded theory. Findings reveal that members of the Betta Kuruba, Soliga, and Yerava tribes exhibited comparable menstrual practices, whereas Jenu Kuruba women adhered to slightly different and often more restrictive customs. Despite limited menstrual knowledge, attitudes towards menstruation across all four tribes were generally positive, with women largely rejecting notions of menstrual impurity. Mothers emphasised the importance of their daughters' ongoing schooling during menstruation and expressed a willingness to grant them autonomy in future menstrual decision-making. While these findings suggest a more positive perception of menstruation than is commonly found in India, they also underscore the need for targeted menstrual education. This study contributes to the limited scholarship on menstruation among tribal populations in India, offering insights for culturally responsive health interventions and policy decisions.