The secret of the island of Inis Big, whose inhabitants have despised sex for centuries

Sex has always occupied a significant place in people's lives. Many peoples had a real cult of love, the manifestations of which can confuse even a modern person. But there are exceptions to the rules, the most striking of which is the attitude to sex in the community of the island of Inis Big off the Atlantic coast of Ireland. For centuries, the inhabitants of this small piece of land despised carnal pleasures and tried to avoid them in every possible way.

The negative attitude of the residents of Inis Big to sex was discovered in 1958 by anthropologist John Cowan Messenger. The scientist lived for some time on this beautiful but harsh island and studied the life of its inhabitants. The scientist, who has seen many unusual communities around the world in his life, became interested in the way of life and customs of the islanders. From 1958 to 1966, he repeatedly came to Inis Big and lived on the island for months.

The population of the island of Inis Big now totals only 350 people. Once there were more inhabitants of the island, but now few persistent people in body and spirit want to stay here forever. The main occupations of the islanders have always been fishing and cattle breeding. They are all Catholics with a very serious attitude to religion and its canons.

John Messenger saw that all the inhabitants of the island are categorically opposed to close physical contacts. Everything about sex was considered taboo on the island. Sex education in families and schools was completely absent, and in general, for a conversation on an intimate topic, harsh fishermen from Inis-Big could even beat up.

There was a panic fear of nudity on the island. To just swim, the islanders carefully hid from their loved ones. In the presence of others, you could only wash your hands, feet and face. It was impossible to find images of even partially naked people on the island — its inhabitants recognized only Christian literature and newspapers with news.

The messenger found that the way of life of the islanders has not changed since the Middle Ages. But how did the population of Inis Big not die out with such a conservative attitude to intimate life? Of course, there was sex on the island, but only between spouses. Moreover, only a marriage arranged by parents and registered in the church was considered valid.

The inhabitants of the island claimed that they make love solely for the sake of procreation. They did not recognize any contraceptives, and there was no question about abortions. The only sex position on the island was missionary. At the same time, the husband and wife never undressed completely and did "it" exclusively in the dark.

Needless to say, oral and anal sex was not held in high esteem, and masturbation was considered a sexual perversion. Do you know what extremes are? So, on Inis Big, promiscuous sexual relations were forbidden even to animals! Those who tried to mate in full view of all the dogs were beaten with sticks. Even a cat licking his crotch could get a beating! Relative "sexual freedom" was only in livestock.

No one told the girls about menstruation and its essence. In the middle of the 20th century, the women of the island considered menstruation not a natural physiological process, but a punishment sent by the Lord from above for the original sin of Eve and Adam. The girls themselves had to get used to the changes in the body, as a conversation with their mother on this topic was impossible.

Menopause was considered no less mysterious. Hot flashes, irritability and other symptoms of menopause were perceived as the first signs of insanity. The priest had to fight them with the help of holy water and a prayer book. The women's faith was so strong that they felt relieved after such a "treatment".

Such a way of life may have been good from the point of view of Christian morality. But the abundance of taboos on the island had more negative consequences. John Messenger interviewed a nurse working at Inis Big. The only medic of the community said that her work is in little demand. Most islanders preferred to be treated with prayers and die, instead of coming to the reception and undressing in front of a strange woman.

The messenger studied the life of the islanders and came to the conclusion that the isolation of the island is to blame for everything. For centuries, the church and church elders have been the main authority on Inis Big. No one opposed the absolute power of the Catholic clergy — people simply did not see another life. This contributed to the "tightening of the screws" and the rejection of everything sexual.

Of course, there was nothing good about it. The scientist found that the least evil from such an attitude to intimacy was boredom. The island, located in the middle of the harsh waters of the Atlantic, was not replete with entertainment. The joys of sex could brighten people's lives, but the fear of sin was too strong. Many residents of Inis Big suffered from mental disorders and were in a state of chronic depression.

Has anything changed since the 60s, when John Messenger lived among the islanders? Of course! In general, Inis-Big adheres to a negative attitude towards the naked body and public display of sexuality, but there has been a warming in families. The Internet and television have opened up a big world for fishermen and shepherds of the island. Now they can make sure that in other parts of the world sexual life is in full swing and no one falls into hell during oral sex.