By Raphael Warjri
THE CYCLE OF ENERGY: NATURE’S IMPACT ON LIFE
Nature’s primary elements imbue life with energy essential for sustenance, operating within seasonal frameworks. Each element offers unique properties at specific times, tailored to diverse needs of living beings. Dawn sunrays, daytime winds, flowing water, and fire each bestow distinct energies for various purposes, contingent upon individual requirements.
However, these energies are subject to environmental influences, with disruptions potentially triggering adverse consequences such as droughts, storms, floods, and wildfires. Thunder, lightning, and earthquakes, while essential for Earth’s rejuvenation, can also pose risks to animated beings, including humans. Rituals and ceremonies aimed at appeasing weather deities underscore the interconnectedness between human actions and natural phenomena, often intertwined with festive observances.
BALANCING ANCIENT WISDOM WITH MODERN SCIENCE
Modern science, with its empirical foundations, stands as the cornerstone of contemporary civilization, while ancient knowledge systems, rooted in myths and legends, offer valuable insights into societal functions. Convergence between these two paradigms is essential to meet the needs of individuals and societies alike. Throughout history, ancient wisdom has complemented scientific advancements, providing a holistic understanding of the world.
However, modern academia has often overlooked the contributions of traditional practitioners, preferring to emphasize scientific methodologies. Only recently have certain scientific institutions begun to acknowledge the significance of ancient knowledge, particularly in areas such as healthcare. Despite the perceived superiority of allopathic medicine, herbal healing methods remain simple, cost-effective, and reliable alternatives for treating various ailments.
THE STRUGGLE OF MATRILINEAL TRADITIONS
The Khasi society grapples with social upheaval stemming from conflicts with prevailing patriarchal norms, exacerbated by divergent opinions on kinship within the community. As a minority group facing population challenges and increased migration, the Khasi community confronts significant pressures. The pervasive influence of patriarchal ideologies, often propagated by dominant religious organizations like Christianity, has disrupted traditional social structures.
Nevertheless, the matrilineal system remains resilient, upheld by the majority of Khasi Christian adherents who continue to practice clan lineage through the maternal line. Despite challenges posed by elite proponents of Western culture and patriarchal influences advocating for economic-driven change, the Khasi matrilineal system perseveres amid adversity.
THE RESILIENCE OF THE MATRILINEAL FAMILY SYSTEM
The matrilineal family structure, centered around the mother as the custodian and the eldest maternal uncle as the provider and defender, embodies an equitable distribution of duties and responsibilities among its members. In this inclusive system, every child within the maternal clan is entitled to equal shares of livelihood and responsibilities, with guidance from their grandmother and maternal uncles.
One notable aspect of this system is its provision for mentally or physically challenged members, who receive the same care and support as other family members. As a result, instances of begging or deprivation within Khasi families are rare. Unlike a joint family setup, married siblings or children do not bring their spouses into the core maternal clan family or cohabit with them. Instead, they provide for their spouses and children while remaining connected to their maternal clan family.
Sisters and daughters are expected to establish their own households within the vicinity of the maternal clan, with the youngest daughter succeeding her mother as the family custodian. Maternal uncles play crucial roles as providers and defenders of the clan, with the eldest maternal uncle typically assuming leadership within each core family.
While the Western patriarchal system has influenced family structures globally, the Khasi society remains steadfast in upholding its matrilineal traditions, albeit facing challenges from colonial interpretations of customary laws. Despite these influences, the matrilineal system continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary social realities, showcasing its dynamic nature and resilience.
THE PRIMACY OF THE ORIGINAL MOTHER IN MATRILINEAL SOCIETY
At the heart of the matrilineal society lies the original mother, whose role is pivotal in binding her offspring and sustaining the lineage. Male offspring assume the roles of providers, defenders, and contributors to the progeny of other clans, while female offspring serve as custodians of the maternal clan, ensuring its continuity through successive generations.
In this lineage, the original mother evolves into the ancestral mother, revered across generations as the source of clan identity and heritage. Mitochondrial genetic inheritance further underscores the maternal lineage, affirming that each offspring’s genetic identity is fundamentally linked to the mother.
Biologically, the embryo is already present within the female reproductive system, developing into a foetus upon fertilization by male sperm. This process symbolizes the connection between mother and child, epitomized by the umbilical cord as the conduit of life. In Khasi mythology, the descent of spiritual beings through the golden vine metaphorically reflects this connection, reinforcing the foundational principle of matrilineal clan lineage.
Thus, the original mother stands as a symbol of continuity, nurturing the matrilineal fabric of society and embodying the enduring bond between generations.
CHALLENGES TO THE MATRILINEAL SYSTEM: A SHIFT IN DYNAMICS
The innate desire of married couples to reside together and prioritize their own family unit contrasts with the traditional structure of matrilineal societies. While in early Khasi customs, some married men may have extended their stay with their wives and children, they often felt marginalized within their wives’ maternal clans, lacking significant roles beyond providing for their immediate family.
During the colonial period, Christian influence empowered Khasi men to assume greater authority within their own households, leading to a gradual erosion of their responsibilities within their maternal clans. The misinterpretation of Khasi customary laws by British colonial rulers further exacerbated this shift, granting inheritance rights of ancestral properties to Khasi women. This undermined the morale of Khasi men, who found themselves increasingly marginalized in matters of family and inheritance.
Conflicts arose as men asserted authority within their families, only to face resistance from their wives, who cited matters pertaining to their maternal clans. However, in practice, maternal uncles continued to hold significant influence, with many women respecting their avuncular status.
Litigation among siblings often stemmed from the interference of vested interests, exacerbated by opportunistic migrants who exploited Khasi women, particularly the youngest daughters, for financial gain. This exploitation has led to the depletion of ancestral resources, with migrant merchants dominating commercial areas like Khyndailad and Ïewduh, once known as Police Bazar and Barra Bazar, respectively. These migrants have wielded political and economic influence over the indigenous population for generations, further exacerbating tensions within Khasi society.
IMPACT OF COLONIALISM AND CHRISTIANITY ON THE KHASI COMMUNITY
The British invasion in the North Eastern region of India, including among the Khasi community, disrupted the natural course of inter-community encounters, introducing economic exploitation and social upheaval. Unlike the mainland Indian subcontinent, which had experienced multiple colonial invasions, the Northeast region faced a sudden and unfamiliar onslaught.
Modern civilization, accompanied by Christianity, brought significant changes to the social and cultural fabric of the Khasi community. The imposition of Christianity, often through psychological manipulation and mass indoctrination, led many Khasi individuals to disregard or even denigrate their ancient ethnic traditions. British colonial rulers propagated the notion that Khasi heritage was primitive, promoting Western ideals as synonymous with civilization.
The prevalence of Biblical literature and aggressive religious propaganda has transformed Christianity into a global commercial enterprise, purportedly offering salvation but often fostering inter-denominational conflicts and clashes over interpretations of the Holy Book. These divisions betray the inclusive message of Jesus Christ and perpetuate exclusivity and intolerance among communities.
Christian denominations, along with other religions, have perpetuated divisions and conflicts by asserting exclusive identities and disparaging others. This divisive mentality extends beyond Christianity, with Hindus criticizing idolatry in Hinduism, Muslims promoting Islamic solidarity, and various religious groups fostering segregation and ridicule within the broader human family.
In contrast, the matrilineal system of the Khasi community offers a model of inclusivity, democracy, and secularism. By prioritizing the maternal lineage and embracing the contributions of all members, regardless of gender or religious affiliation, the matrilineal tradition stands as a potential beacon of unity and acceptance for the entire human race.
