'Pee Pot"

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, toilet paper flew off the shelves at alarming rates. Some were bewildered at the possessiveness people had towards TP. But when I reflect back on my history with bathroom hygiene practices, it makes sense—being comfortable in the bathroom is a basic human need. For me, that need has been complicated by a difference in hygiene practices. As a Muslim, I join many other parts of the world in using water rather than toilet paper to clean myself, whether that’s with a paata, lota, a bidet, a fancy toilet. In this essay, I trace the history and context of this hygiene practice and reflect on my own experiences with pee pots.