By Guptajit Pathak
MATRILINEAL SOCIETY Obviously, it is seen that the care for the young ones becomes increasingly important in rather the higher types of animal life, as they are more and more in need of proper care and development.
Initially, the care that is required for the proper growth of an individual basically depends upon the parents, sometimes only upon the mother and of course sometimes upon the father also. Naturally, it can be considered as a base for the essential constituents of a family. The concept ‘family’ itself is universal and social in nature.
So far as the people of different level of cultures are concerned, we generally find varying degrees of the existence of two types of family organization viz, the patrilineal and the matrilineal systems of family. In a patrilineal system of family, we find those where the descent is reckoned through the father, however in the case of 'matrilineal' system the descent is generally from the mother side. Apart from these two types of families, there is also a third kind of family known as bilateral or bilineal system of family, in which the descent is recognized both from the father and mother side.
The bilateral system of family is generally found among the people of 'Shella' state in Meghalaya, which had developed a completely different social tradition in context to that of the Khasi Ri Bhoi and Khasi Ri Pnar in matters relating to their hereditary rights in connection with land and properly. But, the people of Shella state have maintained the same matrilineal system of society with however a different law of inheritance.
The term, ‘Matriarchy’ itself is unique and there are grave doubts whatever such kind of family system ever existed in primitive society. 'Matriarchy' of course, is a form or system of family in which the total control is centered either in the wife or in the mother. On the contrary, it is the Patriarchal family which prevailed not only in the civilization of antiquity, but also in the feudal society from which our own society came into existence.
Caring of the young ones especially in its earlier stages is the topmost priority or function of a family and thus a child is the most important member of a family. According to the Khasi belief, "the children are the blessing of God" and thus they take pain staking efforts in ensuring the security and happiness of the children.
But, the earth always had a microscopic exception i.e. all the members of the regular household are considered to be the property of the family of head - ‘The Head’- being the father not the child. However, the mother is the one who bears the child in her womb and protects it from all sorts of dangers and vices around, thereby performing the role of a protector throughout her life. It is because of this particular reason, out comes the word "Anti- Mei" whenever we face a sudden danger. Such instances can be heard or seen in terms of thousands when man were concerned with dire consequences and circumstances; he always took refuge or shelter to the mercy of a deity but not in the lap of a male God.
In the ancient and primitive world, all men abided themselves by the natural laws, but as time passed by several disorders appeared in the natural state and people different among themselves in explaining the real meaning of the laws of nature. That is the reason why, people conferred the power on community to exercise their liberty, but the rights of property and life remained in individual hands. Consequently, customs were formed to regulate the conduct of life in ancient societies. But as the time went on from ancient societies to modern, custom became insufficient and they had to be supplemented by other social codes and laws.
Due to the transition in economic conditions, the husbands originally who were real hunters and warriors had to leave their homes in order to make a living and to work at places under conditions dictate by others. Even the wives and daughters for many reasons were forced to leave their homes and work outdoors. Thus, economic conditions made the family totally individualistic. In the recent past, even in other parts of our country, the system of joint family which was so common but it had to disintegrate as the time passed by. That is to say that, societies doesn't necessarily fall or decline as in the case of an individual, but to remain contented with the past achievements nearly will lead us on the road that leads to death.
In Meghalaya, the Khasi tribe is one among the few in the world that follows and practices the unique Matrilineal System. Vivek Ghosal, in a feature, in Femina, May 1 1997 quotes a Khasi woman activist saying, "We won't let men impose their will on us. No, we will not accept that", However, it is evident from the fact that the child is the natural base of a family and between a mother and a child cannot be several throughout the life even if we cut the umbilical cord during the birth of a baby. Therefore, the inherent dependence is always there and whatever is good and beautiful on this earth will be given the name of mother as motherland or mother tongue etc.
There is no custom or culture that can be static and fixed on this earth, but has to keep on changing in pace with the progress and development of a society. Similarly, the family has undergone a lot of change to the extent that it came to mean all the persons included within the household, infact everything more or less regarded as the property more or less of the family head, the head being the ‘Father’ not the child. Reference can also be made in regard to the conception of the 'family' in the ‘Ten Commandments’ as Quote "Thou shall not covet thy neighbour's wife, or his man servant or his maid servant, or his Ox or his Ass, or anything".
However, time has arrived now to initiate a change in the social customary laws. Since, the transition is very rapid in almost all parts of the world, societies to have become more individualistic and people's aim of life is to ensure security and happiness of their children. Infact, both parents must have equal rights in the family though in governance of the family by the patriarchal system of authority.
Even the law of inheritance should also follow accordingly like in the Shella state, i.e. to say that the children should have equal rights over the properties of parents.
However, it is to note that the present prevailing customary law of inheritance in Meghalaya which has not been either sanctioned by the parliament or the Assembly prevalent amongst the Pnars, Khynriams, U Bhoi, U War calls for immediate review of this in the modern- day changing world.
Guptajit Pathak
Present Address:
Guptajit Pathak
Head, Faculty of Social Sciences
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