Water, Cleanliness Norms, and Social Status; An Ethnographic Study of Rural Women in Ilam

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Author

Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

Abstract

Water consumption in rural communities of Iran is not merely a biological or hygienic behavior; rather, it is deeply intertwined with cultural, social, and gendered structures. In this context, the concepts of shame, cleanliness, and social status play a decisive role in shaping consumption patterns. Focusing on the women of Rusem-Khan village, this study seeks to demonstrate how everyday practices related to water reflect moral values, social norms, and the gendered division of labor.
This research was conducted using an ethnographic approach, employing participant observation and in-depth interviews with rural women. Data were collected over several months through field presence, direct observation of household activities related to water, and semi-structured interviews.
Data analysis showed that women, as the primary managers of the household environment, are mainly responsible for activities such as washing courtyards, terraces, dishes, and clothes. These practices are not only responses to biological needs but also reflections of social and symbolic values associated with honor and hospitality. The gendered division of labor has placed the main burden of water consumption on women. Additionally, the type of building materials (cement or gravel flooring) plays an important role in the intensity of use. Another key finding was the contradictory awareness of women regarding the water crisis; although they were aware of water scarcity, cultural norms and social pressures undermined efforts toward water-saving practices.
This study reveals that water consumption in the village is not merely a practical act but a cultural and social phenomenon constructed through the interaction of gender, morality, the body, and the household environment. Therefore, water resource management policies will have limited effectiveness if they fail to account for these cultural and symbolic dimensions.

Keywords

References

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The Journal of Community Development (Rural-Urban)
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 33
Autumn and winter 2025
January 2025
Pages 481-496

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