UNIQUENESS OF THE MATRILINEAL SYSTEM AMIDST THE DIVERSITY OF CULTURE AND CUSTOMS OF THREE MAJOR TRIBES IN MEGHALAYA: A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

Abstract

This research explores the unique matrilineal practices of Meghalaya, India, home to the
Khasi, Garo, and Jaintiya tribes, known for their matrilineal culture where inheritance and
family titles are passed through the maternal line. This study aims to document and analyze
these practices to understand their role in female empowerment and their implications for
social, political, and economic domains. Key research questions include the uniqueness of
matrilineal practices, their interplay with cultural diversity and comparisons with the major
tribes of Meghalaya. Meghalayan matrilineal systems are distinguished by their flexibility
and robustness, promoting social cohesion and economic stability by retaining property
within the maternal lineage and enhancing family wealth. These systems afford women
significant social standing and control over family and community affairs, challenging
traditional gender roles and power dynamics. They shape social structures, influence
marriage customs, and kinship networks, and foster community cohesion through
matrilocality, which strengthens extended family bonds and maternal ties. However,
contemporary socio-economic changes pose challenges to maintaining these cultural
traditions. Despite these pressures, Meghalayan matrilineal societies continue to offer
valuable insights into social structures, women’s roles, and inheritance systems within
indigenous communities. This study contributes to sociological theories on gender roles and
family structures, highlighting the adaptability and diversity of kinship systems across
different cultural contexts. Policy recommendations include funding for community-led
projects, integrating indigenous knowledge systems in education, and safeguarding
matrilineal inheritance rights. Empowering women within this framework is crucial for
enhancing broader social structures and community cohesiveness. Future research should
focus on longitudinal studies, comparative analyses, policy advocacy, and interdisciplinary
approaches to further understand and support these matrilineal societies. By examining the
matrilineal practices in Meghalaya, this research provides important insights that could
inform policies aimed at advancing women’s rights and gender equality in other regions of
India and beyond.