Washington State University Press Releases Winning Graduate’s Book

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University Press has released the edited version of Kathey-Lee Galvin’s dissertation under the title “Forbidden Red: Widowhood in Urban Nepal.” Galvin, a former Fulbright Fellow, received a WSU Outstanding Graduate Author Award for her dissertation. The award included the publication of her work.

The author, who won the award in 2003, earned her doctorate from the WSU Department of Anthropology. Her manuscript was selected for the award because of the interest of the topic, which has few published studies, and because it was very readable and strongly researched.

 In Nepal, red symbolizes life, vibrancy and passion—a color and existence that is often denied to widows. By the time her husband’s funeral fire is extinguished, the woman as wife no longer exists. Her separation from both family and society has begun. The author traveled to urban Nepal to interview widows of various ages, castes, religions and circumstances.

The compelling stories of these women vividly portray the plight of widows in Nepal. Applying kinship modeling and practice theory to an examination of widow rituals, residence choices and religion, Galvin analyzed how widows are rejected, the choices available to them and the survival strategies they employ.

Available in paperback, “Forbidden Red” is 5 ½” x 8 ¼”, 176 pages and retails for $18.95. It is available at bookstores or can be ordered directly plus shipping from WSU Press by calling 800-354-7360 or online at wsupress.wsu.edu.

WSU Press is associated with Washington State University and is located in Pullman, Wash. WSU Press publishes scholarly books with a cultural or historical relationship to the Pacific Northwest.