essay

Changing a'chik-mande: need for further research

hill societies, their modernisation : a study of north east with special reference to garo hillsNew 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.
Subjects
Real property
Production and supply
Gender status
Household
Clans
culture
Garo
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)