essay

Changing a'chik-mande: need for further research

hill societies, their modernisation : a study of north east with special reference to garo hills • New Delhi • Published In 1995 • Pages: 52-58

By: Kar, Biman.

Abstract

In this study, Kar looks at the changes in women's status; subsistence and settlement patterns, ownership, population density, family organization, debt, trading and religion. According to statistics published in 1987, 60 percent of households were still practicing shifting cultivation, either exclusively or in combination with permanent cultivation. Kar argues against any notion that because Garo society is matrilineal, women have a relatively high status. He points to the male members of her family who make all the decisions regarding marriage and property. As agriculture intensifies and people look for a livelihood outside of farming, settlement patterns have become more permanent. Recognition of individual, nontransferable property rights to orchards and reclaimed terrace fields has also influenced a more dispersed settlement pattern. Opportunity for wage labor outside of the lineage-controlled agricultural sector, has lead to nucleation of families. Traders and their agents extend credit to villagers, putting many of them into debt. Christianity has been a factor in a rising Garo sub-nationalism.

HRAF PubDate

1998

Region

Asia

Sub Region

South Asia

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Economist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 1998

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1872-1987

Coverage Place

Garo Hills Autonomous District, Meghalaya State, India

Notes

[Biman Kar]

Includes bibliographical references (p. 58)

LCCN

95910488

LCSH

Garo (Indic people)