The proverbial saying that “charity begins at home” emphasises the importance of instilling moral values within the family unit as the foundation for fostering a responsible and ethical society. Indeed, liberal thoughts and actions are often advocated by civilised societies, serving to challenge prejudice and biased opinions in various social contexts.
However, over time, this liberal ethos has sometimes been co-opted by elite groups who, while claiming to be inclusive, may in practice disregard the genuine voices of marginalised sections of society. While it’s important to avoid being judgmental, it’s equally crucial not to ignore harmful intellectual attitudes that can negatively impact society. Striking a middle path involves fostering tolerance for both interpretations of ancient knowledge and contemporary understandings of life and society.
The adage “never judge a book by its cover” holds true, with the recognition that change begins at home, as “home is where the heart is.” In the Khasi matrilineal custom, the core family unit is nurtured by the mother and protected by maternal uncles. When a daughter enters matrimony, she becomes a mother and establishes her core family unit within the clan, while a son takes on the role of progenitor for another clan, becoming a father. This highlights the pivotal role of the mother in fostering an inclusive family environment.
In contrast, the patriarchal family structure of father, mother, and children tends to be more exclusive, often limiting interactions within the family unit in the name of privacy. Inclusive families ensure that all descending members are absorbed with acceptance, and counseling is provided for all legitimate claims. Exclusive families, on the other hand, may prioritise the privacy and interests of the dominant male figures, potentially abandoning members who do not conform to the family’s expectations.
The matrilineal system of the Khasi people is deeply rooted in their cultural and mythological heritage, extending back to the very inception of humankind. According to Khasi mythology, in the beginning, sixteen units of souls resided in the heavenly realm as spiritual entities, devoid of physical form. The primordial nature, represented as celestial energy, took on the form of deities, embodying neither gender nor specific digit and was referred to collectively as gods and goddesses.
When the earth was found bare and barren, a divine congregation convened, deciding to adorn the earth with colorful costumes. The sun, moon, air, water, and fire, as offspring of Mother Earth, infused energy into the earth, leading to the germination of vegetation in diverse forms and appearances. As these plants and trees flourished, the earth’s canopy became rich and vibrant with a plethora of flora.
Subsequently, the need arose for caretakers to nurture the growing organisms. Natural energy further facilitated the growth of parasites, evolving from decay in the earth and vegetation into various species of insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, and other animals. The survival of these creatures depended on their ability to sustain themselves through interdependent nourishment and individual endurance.
As the population of creatures increased, chaos ensued, with weaker beings falling prey to the dominance of the powerful. In response, weaker creatures developed strategies to overcome and retaliate against stronger adversaries, leading to a cycle of plunder and devastation. Recognising the need for harmonious coexistence, the divine council resolved to send seven out of the sixteen celestial units of divine souls to inhabit the earth.
Mother Earth integrated these seven divine souls into advanced animal forms created from the earth, thereby giving rise to human beings. The divine council bestowed upon other animals certain aptitudes for survival on earth, while granting the human race the privilege of supreme authority over other creatures. While most creatures accepted this resolution gracefully, the tiger and serpent objected vehemently, challenging human authority both openly and covertly.
The matrilineal system among the Khasi people has its roots deeply embedded in the mythology surrounding the genesis of humankind. According to this myth, in the primordial era, when the earth was barren and bare, the divine beings convened to adorn it with vibrant colors and life. The energies of the sun, moon, air, water, and fire imbued the earth with vitality, leading to the emergence of diverse vegetation and life forms.
As life flourished and creatures multiplied, a need arose for nurturing and caring for the growing organisms. Mother Earth, in her wisdom, facilitated the growth of various creatures, from insects to mammals, each finding its niche in the intricate web of life. Among these, the human race was granted the supreme authority over other beings on earth by the divine council. In Khasi mythology, it is considered the First Divine Congregation (Dorbar Blei- 1).
However, despite this bestowed authority, challenges arose from within the animal kingdom itself. The tiger and the serpent, though significantly tamed, harbored enmity towards each other while simultaneously challenging the dominion of humans. Territorial conflicts ensued among humans, tigers, and serpents, each vying for supremacy over the others.
In the wake of growing discontent among the creatures of the earth, particularly from those who harbored resentment towards humans for their dominion over creation, the cosmos summoned its second Divine Council “Dorbar Blei II”. This assembly, a gathering of celestial wisdom and authority, was convened with a singular purpose: to equip each creature with the means for self-preservation and independence, ensuring their endurance against the challenges posed by nature and, indirectly, human supremacy.
To this end, the council endowed the creatures with gifts tailored to their needs and natures. The majestic and towering animals were blessed with formidable physical strength, enabling them to stand as titans of their domains. Creatures of stealth and cunning received sharp teeth and razor-like claws, making them adept hunters and survivors. Others, whose defence lay not in offense but in resilience, were granted the ability to shoot spikes or grow impenetrable shells, a testament to nature’s ingenuity in protection. And there were those, often underestimated for their size, who received the gift of sting and venom, turning their very existence into a weapon against predation.
Amidst this distribution of natural talents, the human being was notably absent, arriving at the council only after the gifts had been allocated. This delay could have been a critical misstep for humanity, leaving them vulnerable in a world where every other creature had been given the means to defend itself, often against humans themselves. Recognising this oversight, Mother Decree “Mei Hukum”— a pronouncement of unparalleled importance — bestowed upon humanity two transcendent qualities: intelligence and language.
These gifts, though seemingly less dramatic than the physical attributes granted to other creatures, held within them the power to transcend mere survival. Intelligence offers humans the ability to innovate, to learn from the past and anticipate the future, crafting solutions to the myriad challenges they face. Language, equally potent, provided the means to communicate, to share knowledge and build communities, to warn of danger and to spread the word of discovery. It was through these faculties that humanity would not only navigate the hazards of their world but would come to influence it profoundly.
Thus, equipped with intelligence and language, humans embarked on a unique path. They learned to harness the resources of the earth, to domesticate other creatures, to cultivate the land, and to build civilisations. These simple gifts from the Divine Council became the cornerstone of human dominion, enabling them to shape the world for posterity and to hold a unique place in the tapestry of creation, balancing the scales in a world where physical might and natural defenses once ruled supreme.
Amidst this struggle for dominance, the essence of matriliny remained steadfast. Just as in the intricate workings of a beehive, where the queen serves as the core nurturing the hive’s inhabitants, the maternal lineage is recognised as the foundation of existence, sustenance, and survival for every creature, including humans. From the womb of the mother, the genes of every creature spring forth, reinforcing the enduring significance of matrilineal heritage.
