Khasi Culture

Where women rule ! ... by Simon & Katerina

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India is often perceived as a country where women are second class citizens, living under the shadow of male authority. In Megahalaya in the far Northeast of India, however, there is a tribal group with an ancient matrilineal culture that sweeps aside all Indian stereotypes. They are the Khasi, and they place women at the forefront of society, so much so, that the men are actually fighting for equal rights.

Matriarchal strength... High

• According to India’s National Family Health Survey, Meghalaya is the state where parents have shown the least interest to have a male child - 73% less than the national average.
• Dowry is unknown. Therefore, sex selective abortions, killing of infants and dowry related deaths are not practiced.
• Women are economically self sufficient. They do not turn into beggars when their husband leaves them.

Threats to the system... Medium

• Khasi men want equal rights and are campaigning for a change to the patrilineal system.
• Religions are installing patriarchal values on Khasi society.
• Main stream Indian media is displaying macho Bollywood images.

“Under the matrilineal system, women have gained a strong mind. My mother is a good example,” says Archal, a young man with a metal welding business in Pynursla.

“When I was 2 years old my father left, so, she had to look after the family herself. She has a stronger personality than her new husband, he has a week mind. The advantage of a matrilineal system is that women are allowed to work and look after themselves. They will not become beggars if they divorce, unlike in the rest of India.”

Archal continues...

“However, I think to myself, the change to a patrilineal system is the next step. Men want to look after their children and have a say as to how they are brought up and how the house is run. To do this well, they need to have legal possession over their children.”

The hilly state of Megalaya is nestled in the North Eastern of India. It is home to 3 tribal groups - Khasi, Jaintias and Garo. All follow a matrilineal system, however, the Khasi seem to have preserved their culture the best. The Khasi population is 1.1 million.

Tagged as 'The abode of clouds', Megalaya boasts the highest annual rainfall in the world, and like the mist that lingers in the air, so the future of these cultures are also unclear.

Early Christian missionaries have managed to convert about 80% of the Khasis.

Meghalaya became its own state on January 21st 1972, allowing the Khasi 'Scheduled Tribe' to create their own laws to protect their culture.

In recent years a few groups have formed to challenge the system. Inspired by the patriarchal system of mainland India and other outside influences, they have begun campaigning for equal rights, and even male superiority, over women.

The 'SRT Movement' (Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai) is one of these groups. It's leader is Mr Keith Pariat.

“Khasi men feel they are only breeding bulls, and their responsibilities end with procreation. I as a father have no say over my own children," he complains. “At the end of the day, if the woman decides to divorce, the father leaves the house empty handed, no land, no property, therefore they end up drinking, deserting their wives and dying young.”

Extract from a SRT flyer in Shillong, the capital of Megalaya.

Our demands are quite simple, Mr Pariat dictates like a true politician.

• To give full authority to the father, (because the ancient law still exists that the uncle is in charge of the children.)
  
• To change to a patrilineal system (so children will have the fathers name.)
  
• For inheritance to be equally distributed among sons and daughters (and the eldest son will be responsible for looking after the parents instead of the youngest daughter.)

Izy and Vicky - property kept by women.

“Those organisations fighting for a change, they have already lost, the woman has won,” Izy says almost shouting. “They have even lost their prestige, because lots of men believe they can’t do the work that the women do.”

Izy and Vicky are sisters and live together in Happy Valley, in Shillong.

“We are happy like this, Izi and me. We have a son; we look after him together, so what? We are happy without men,” says Vicky.

An educated 'youngest daughter' from a family in the village is trapped by tradition. Her dreams are to return to teaching in the NorthEast state of Misoram, but she has to stay and look after her aging parents and run the house.