Khasi

The Khasis have a matrilineal and matrilocal society.[10][11] Lineage is traced through the mother, children taking their mother's surname, with maternal uncles traditionally playing a major role in the Kur(clan), while the father keeps an important role in the household.

A common misconception among many, sometimes even among some uninformed/misinformed Khasis themselves, is that the Khasi society is matriarchal but in fact it is not so. As already stated above the Khasi society is matrilineal which is different from a matriarchy. The Khasi people respect and love their mothers who are the "custodians of their wealth"[12] (i.e. the maternal ancestral property) and from whom they trace their lineage. The father as the head of the family is the "provider, master and guide."[13] And the maternal uncle is very important to the Khasi family who functions "as the undisputed director of the ancestral property" and is much respected; he is consulted over issues such as marriage arrangements of the children etc. The concept of "tip kur tip kha" in the Khasi religion reflects the mindset of the Khasis - it literally means "knowing" ones own clan (i.e. the mother's clan) and the father's clan which in turn means "respect" or "honouring" of both sides.[14] Therefore, the Khasi society it can be said is a matrilineal society having a patriarchal framework.[15]

In Khasi tradition, the youngest daughter, the Khaduh will inherit the house and the major part of the property as she is the main caretaker of the parents. Despite its matriliny, Khasi society cannot be said to be matriarchal: although women are influential within the clan and family, participation in the traditional political institutions has been reserved for males, (there is no such bar for participation in the modern Indian political process), although this is changing.

un comune pregiudizio anche fra i disinformati Khasis, è che la loro società sia matriarcale, ma non è così.
la società Khasi è matrilineare.
le proprietà sono delle donne.
il padre, come capo di famiglia è "provider, master e guida". lo zio materno agisce come indiscusso direttore della proprietà che deriva dalle antenate ed è molto rispettato; egli viene consultato sulle questioni come l'organizzazione dei matrimoni dei componenti della propria famiglia.

il concetto "tip kur tip kha" significa letteralmente "conoscere" il proprio Clan (della madre) e il clan della padre -che a sua volta significa "rispettare" e "onorare" entrambe le parti.
quindi la società Khasi può venir detta società matrilineare che ha una base patriarcale.

le figlie più giovani ereditano i beni mobili e immobili della famiglia prendendosi esse cura dei genitori.
anche se le donne hanno grande influenza sulla famiglia ed il clan, gli uomini partecipano alle istituzioni politiche tradizionali anche se questo sta cambiando.

Mais cela ne signifie pas que les hommes soient satisfaits de leur sort, loin de là. « Nous trouvons injuste que les femmes aient tous les pouvoirs et nous aucun. Nous ne jouons aucun rôle, si ce n’est de nourrir nos bébés et de changer leurs couches. J’ai des amis qui se sentaient si frustrés qu’ils se sont mis à boire et à se droguer. Nous voulons nous sentir utiles à la société. Après tout, nous avons des droits, nous aussi », s’insurge Peter (95% des habitants sont chrétiens, d’où son prénom), dont la femme s’occupe à plein temps du commerce familial de fruits et légumes, et qui exprime par ces mots le sentiment de la plupart de ses semblables.
Selon un article publié dans un journal du Bhoutan, sous le titre « La domination des femmes menacée », un mouvement de libération des hommes baptisé Symbai RimbaiTong Hai a vu le jour il y a six ans dans le Meghalaya. Dirigé par Ablemann Swser jusqu’à sa mort, il y a deux ans, il revendique des droits de propriété pour les enfants de sexe masculin et un plus grand rôle pour les hommes au sein de la famille. Ce mouvement s’est toutefois trouvé confronté à l’opposition non seulement des femmes, mais de la société tout entière. « Personne ne nous prend au sérieux », déplore John lyngdoh, son dirigeant actuel.

« C’est uniquement la mère ou la belle-mère qui s’occupe de son enfant. L’homme n’a même pas le droit de participer aux réunions de famille. Il a contre lui un clan : celui de sa femme, de sa belle-mère et de ses enfants. Alors, il ne lui reste plus qu’à jouer de la guitare, chanter, tomber dans l’alcoolisme et mourir jeune », conclut d’une voix grave Kaith Pariat.