In a universe where patriarchy has been the rule, where family names, land, and power are passed on from father to son, there are a few hidden enclaves of the globe that turn the script around. A few of them are located in India. Here, hidden in the Northeast's hills and the deep South's traditions, exist a few matrilineal and even partially matriarchal communities still thriving. They are societies where property is inherited through the females, where lines of descent follow through the mothers, and where the very fabric of family is constructed around the woman and not the man.
Of these special societies, the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya is the most prominent. But they are by no means the only ones. The Garo and Jaintia tribes also practice matrilineal traditions. In southern India, too, such as the Nairs of Kerala and the Bunts of Karnataka, matrilineal traditions were once strong. To truly understand what makes these societies so captivating, let's first examine their history, then explore their customs, contributions, and what the world can learn from them.
A Brief History of Matriarchal Systems in India
Well before the contemporary Indian state coalesced, family and social organizations were extremely varied. Among numerous old tribal and farming groups, women occupied central positions not just in the family but also in leadership, economics, and spirituality. In Dravidian and tribal societies, matriliny was not uncommon. The early history of India reveals that many groups had matrilineal lineages, particularly in areas where women were heavily invested in land ownership, community ceremonies, and agricultural life. For example:
- The Kerala Nairs (a warrior caste in the past) had a system of Marumakkathayam, whereby inheritance was through the female line. The heirs of a man were not his children, but the children of his sister.
- The Karnataka Bunts, another landowning caste, followed Aliyasantana, a comparable system of matriliny.
- In the Northeast, the Khasis, Garos, and Jaintias maintained matriliny separate from Hindu or Vedic systems.
- Certain Toda and Kota groups of the Nilgiri Hills practised polyandry and matrilineal descent traditions.
With the passage of time, particularly during British colonial rule and following Indian independence, these systems gradually collapsed. The British enacted laws that promoted patrilineal inheritance and nuclear family patterns, denouncing matriliny as "primitive." Land reforms, education policies, and Christian missionary activity also gradually promoted patriarchal values. In spite of this pressure, some communities like the Khasi clung to their traditions and continue to do so today.
The Khasi Tribe: A Matrilineal Stronghold
The Khasi people reside in Meghalaya, a state that prides itself on rolling hills, the cleanest villages, and matrilineal traditions. In a Khasi home, lineage and inheritance pass through the women. Here's how it works:
- The youngest daughter, referred to as the Ka Khadduh, inherits the ancestral property of the family.
- The husband moves in with the wife's family after marriage (matrilocal residence).
- The children have their mother's surname and are members of her clan.
- Family obligations and rituals are inherited through the mother's line, not the father's.
It is not simply a cultural nicety, it's a profound social philosophy. For the Khasi, the woman is the glue that holds the family together.
The Garo and Jaintia Tribes: Close Cousins
Similar to the Khasi, the Garos and Jaintias also practice matriliny, although their systems are dissimilar. Among the Garos
- Inheritance of property goes to the youngest daughter, as in the Khasis.
- Matrilocal marriage occurs, with men marrying into their wife's family.
- Political and religious leadership is largely still male, but the matriline is at the heart of identity.
The Jaintias, whose royal dynasties were known in history, also practice a matrilineal system:
- Clan identity and inheritance are transmitted via the mother.
- Religious ceremonies and celebrations tend to be centred around women's roles.
- Village government continues to be dominated by men.
For each of the three groups, the woman's house becomes the focal point of domestic life. Brothers stay affiliated with their sisters' homes after marriage.
In Indian society, the expression "raising a daughter" is followed by anxieties about dowry, marriage, and losing her to another home. But here in matrilineal societies, daughters are a source of strength, not a burden. Let's see what makes them different:
1. Inheritance Through Women
Instead of sons, it's the daughters, particularly the youngest ones, who inherit family property. This implies:
- Women have economic power.
- Families feel less worried about "losing" daughters after marriage.
- Land remains in the same home and clan.
2. Matrilocal Households
The husband follows the wife after marriage. This reinforces the woman's status in domestic matters and makes certain that the parents are cared for by their daughter.
3. Clan System Based on Women
Clans in Khasi society are strictly exogamous; you can't marry a person from your mother's clan. This identification system runs through women, making them central.
4. No Dowry
As women inherit family property, there is no dowry tradition. This has a gigantic effect when it comes to women's dignity and economic independence.
So, Do Women Rule?
Not quite. These societies are matrilineal, not completely matriarchal. Although women own the property and make decisions at home, political and religious power remains mostly in the hands of men. Meghalaya's village councils (dorbars) are generally male-dominated. Even women who own land often don't participate in community-level decision-making. Change, however, is on the horizon. Women's organizations and activists in Meghalaya are demanding equal representation in politics, local governments, and in religious leadership. As Khasi women increasingly attend school and enter careers, their voice in the public sphere is increasing.
Challenges in a Changing World
Even matrilineal cultures are not safe from the forces of globalization, urban migration, and contemporary laws.
1. Migration and Nuclear Families
Youth migrate to urban areas for work or schooling. Some of them eschew traditional roles, particularly the role of remaining behind as the Khadduh. Nuclear families are taking the place of old joint households.
2. Men's Movements
Some Khasi men have expressed frustration with the matrilineal system. Groups like the Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai (“New Hearth”) advocate for giving men property rights and a bigger role in family decisions.
3. Religious Influences
Christian missionaries, who arrived in Meghalaya in the 19th century, introduced new values, some of which conflicted with traditional matrilineal beliefs. Over time, many converted Khasis adopted more patriarchal norms, especially in religious institutions.
4. Legal and Land Rights
Indian legislation is typically based on patrilineal concepts. At times, the law does not acknowledge or endorse matrilineal practices, particularly in land registration, inheritance cases, and marriage laws.
What the Rest of India Can Learn
Matrilineal cultures question the notion that patriarchy is "natural" or required for order. These societies demonstrate that:
- Families can thrive when women are central.
- Daughters can be anchors, and not solely emotional.
- Women are respected more when they hold power over land, finances, and domestic decisions.
- Gender balance is not a matter of turning the hierarchy upside down, but dividing up power.
While India harks back to and argues about gender equality, these cultures provide real-life models of how women's empowerment is achieved not in speeches or slogans, but in deeply ingrained habits and household systems.
A Heritage Worth Protecting
The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia remind us that there is no one way to construct society. While patriarchy will rule much of the globe, India's Northeast and regions of its South have a different tale to tell. One in which women haven't just managed to survive but lead. These matrilineal societies aren't flawless. They're adapting, under new challenges, and sometimes fighting to remain relevant. But they embody a living traditional heritage of balance, resilience, and shared responsibility. And maybe, in an age still grappling with how to accord women their fair share, these societies have been quietly holding the key all along.