Kinship studies among the Garos

ISSN: 2319-5835

Kinship studies among the Garos: Special Reference to the Asananggre Village, West
Garo Hills District, Meghalaya

Corresponding Author: Tinkumoni Panyang, Research Scholar, Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022, India. Email: panyangtinkumoni@gmail.com

KEYWORDS Garos, Nokma, Nokna, Mahari, Kinship

ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aims to understand the role of kinship in understanding the social structure among the Garos.
Materials and Method: The present study is based on fieldwork conducted at Asananggre village, which falls under the Rongram block in West Garo Hills. The primary source of data was collected through observation and semi-structured interviews. Case study method is implemented to substantiate certain findings and to have a clearer insight into the phenomenon.
Results and Discussion: Kinship is a central organizing principle for the social structure of a considerable proportion of the world’s societies. According to the Garo customary laws and practices, though the woman is the property owner, the man is the mere custodian of the property. Mother’s brother plays an important position in the family, looking after his matrilineal descent group. The division of Ma’chong still stands strong even today. The relationship between the clans goes on from generation to generation.
Conclusion: Kinship organization among the Garos shows both rigidity and flexibility side by side. Garos kinship is directly or indirectly influenced by changes due to modernization, faith, occupation, etc. The change of male’s role in matrilineal societies poses a threat to the intact kinship structure, even among the Garos society.

Tinkumoni Panyang

Research Scholar, Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022, India.

DOI-DS: 01.2022-42567373
DOI Link ::https://doi-ds.org/doilink/01.2022-42567373/Frontier anthropology/06.2021-53228984/V10/A7

Original Article

Manuscript Timeline
Submitted: July 30, 2021
Accepted: December 30, 2021
Published: January 6, 2022