MATRILINEAL SYSTEM IN MEHGALAYA

In many parts of India and Asia, both men and women want to change traditions and culture that have been in existence for thousands of years, but which are now seen as sources of social discrimination. The Seng Rympei Thymmai ( An organisation that wants to change Matrilineal System to Patriarchal society) have work hard to change.So far they have not succeeded and Meghalaya remain the only state in India that Follow Matrilineal System.

The native people of Meghalaya are part of the world's largest surviving matrilineal culture. Some men of Meghalaya feel oppressed by what they now see as a female-dominated society. Outside influences and education have made them realize that they do not have the "natural rights" of their brethren throughout most of the patrilineal world. The husband(Kpa Ki Khun) is only a procreator, a baby sitter and just a breeding bull.This feeling made the men to feel inferior and unsecure in the Matrilineal society. However people fail to realise that the husband is the head of the family ( U kpa ka ing) and he is resposible for the welfare of his family.A Peson who is born in a patrilineal society will have a totally unque experience if they come and experience the life in Maeghalaya. Women are respected with equality and men are also have their own role to play. It is a classless society where both male and female are sharing their responsibility and rights.

God has his own way in the creation of the Universe. The Khasi believe that it is through the female (Li Dohkha) that life started.The females are given great respect and important because she is the life giver, protector, and caretaker.There are several legends that tells us as to why the khasi women are given such a status. The women are given importance however they are not permitted to participate in public affairs and politics. The khasi do not have queens to rule them but only kings. The last daughter (khadduh) is suppose to look after the ancestral property and religion but she is not a priestess. The unlce ( kni) is the priest.The land, name, and social rank are passed on from mothers to daughters, but it is the Kni who is the overall incharge of all these. Even when there is conflict, in the clan level, it is the kni who will settle all the matters. Matrilineal is not matriarchal. The women do not dominate the men. There is a balance in power structure between the sexes. Women have got a tremendous freedom in the Matrilineal society.