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Role of the Khasi - Jaintia Women ... excerpts from an article by Biloris Lyndem |
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Women here are very lucky as they are treated equal to their male counterparts, but the head of the family is always the father. In this society the question of illegitimate child, child abandoning, dowry and bride burning are unknown. Offspring's whether male or female are treated alike. On the whole the society is unique. Women are the property holders and keepers of the family purse and other movable and immovable properties. In a matrilineal society marriage is strictly exogamous i.e. outside the clan (Kur). There cannot be a greater sin than a coition between members of the Kurs'. Women in Khasi & Jaintia society are accorded high respect. At home women take care of the nursing and rearing of the children, supervision of domestic activities, attending to the sick aged parents and other relatives in distress. This is the duty of the youngest daughter in both Khasi and Jaintia families. The Women folk are very sociable. This is reflected in the structural pattern of their socio-political system, which by itself formed a social organization from the family unit to the Hima or state. There is no caste or class system and women are free to participate in any social activities. The Women are hardworking, contributing in many respects to the family income by lending a helping hand in different economic activities. With the spread of education, women have taken jobs in govt. offices, many working as engineers, doctors, teachers of colleges and Universities and are known for their sincerity and proficiency. One unique feature of the society is that the man has a dual crown, being an uncle in his sister's house and a father to his children. The fact that the ancestral property is vested with the mother could be a mistake to suppose that the father is nobody in the Khasi-Jaintia society. The father ahs a strong position in his wife's house as well as at his mother's house. The women have never been under the shadow of their men. The fame of Ka Latympang and Ka Pring Sariang the queens of the Jaintia is well known. Many women folk are standing up for elections and making known their presence. As early as 1937 we had a woman MP , Miss. Mavis Dunn Lyngdoh. In 1952, Mrs.B.Khongmen became an MP, now people like Mrs.R.Warjri, Mrs. M. War are MLA's. Women like Mrs.M.R.Kyndiah a Jaintia women, Phidalia Toi, Probity Nongpluh social activist, and others have stood for elections. Prominent entrepreneurs like Mrs. Dolly Khonglah, Mrs. M.J.Passah, Mrs.Edwina Lyngdoh, Mrs.Obilet Tariang and many more are coming up as successful business women. As Panchayati Raj does not exist in the Khasi-Jaintia society, the 73rd Amendment leaves the woman here untouched. As majority leaders in the political scenario, are men, women need no special reservation for Assembly seats, as they are vested with enough power under the matrilineal system. Women here are not sitting idle, they have made their voices heard. Recently Probity Nongpluh a social activist won a case in the Guwahati High Court seeking 1/3rd reservation for women in the Municipal poll. The matter is still hanging in the Supreme Court. In Meghalaya all decision bodies are male dominated, where all major decisions are in the hands of men. Therefore, real improvement can only happen when the patriarchal mindset of these bodies is reversed. It is only the inclusion of women in decision making process which will enable a change in attitudes in a far more effective manner than any legislation and amendments. The society will move forward if there is an equal partnership between men and women. |
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Context of Article shortened by : Er. Kenyir Olga J.N.Nongrum, NIC Official. Email your queries to : jowai@nic.in |
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The Khasis and Jaintias
belong to the same stock. Ethnologists trace a relationship existing
between them and a certain group of people from South East Asia. The Chief
representative being the Mons or Talangs of Burma and the Khmer of
Cambodia. Their nearest kinsmen are said to be the Palungs inhabiting the
Shan state to the North east of Mandalay. As stated Meghalaya is the only
state in the entire North East which follow matrilineal system drawing the
lineage and takes the identity solely from the mother.