The custom arose primarily from the idea that woman is inferior to man.

In the Jewish temple as well as in the synagogue, the sexes were separated.

It is so to-day in most synagogues.

Among the Mohammedans, too, woman is ruled out and is kept apart; and so strong is custom it even affected the Christian church in Oriental lands in the early days.

You see a trace of it still in the East in church-arrangements.
A Chinese play takes a number of weeks or even months in which to complete it.