Examine the characteristics of any one of the matrilineal communities of India.

Matrilineal Societies among Indian Tribes

In contrast to the patrilineal society found in the civilized world, the matrilineal society is recognized by the following characteristics.

1. Succession through the mother

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While in the patrilineal society the succession follows through the father, in matrilineal society it follows through the mother. Since the member of the group receives the family name through the mother, the society is known as matrilineal.

2. Matrilocal family

While in the patrilineal society the bride goes to the house of the bridegroom after marriage and resides there along with her children, in the matrilineal society the husband lives at the residence of the wife. Thus the family in the society is matrilocal.

3. Succession of property to female

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Because in the matrilineal society the father resides with the mother, the succession of property is decided from the female side. Normally, the son of the brother or sister of the mother succeeds her property. In the case of kingdom also similar rule is followed in matters of succession.

According to Maclver the matrilineal society need not be matriarchal i.e. ruled by the mother. It is hence that Maclver calls it maternal.

The example of matrilineal societies can be seen among the Garo and Khasi tribes of Assam in India. In Garo Matrilineal society the succession is decided from the mother’s side. It is believed that a female was the original founder of this tribe.

In matters of marriage the proposal is made from the woman’s side but a man has a right to marry at least three women at the same time. There is no exchange of money at the time of marriage.

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The women succeed to the property and therefore a widow is not allowed to marry for a certain period after the death of her husband. The purpose of this delay in remarriage is to keep the property of the family within the family and allow the minor sons to become adult. The male resides with the female after his marriage.

Among the Khasi matrilineal society of Assam the tradition begins from female or princess. The Creator God in their religion possesses characteristics of a female. The mother has sole rights over the family property and after her the right to property is given to her daughter. The male resides with his in laws after marriage.

The religious functions are in the hands of women, who serve as priests on religious occasions. This, however, does not mean that in these societies, the wife dominates the husband, because the word used for the husband in this society means the ‘master’. Divorce is allowed only by natural consent. And the male is given all the rights of the husband.