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Advanced or Backward ?

by KK

Recently I came across a surprising case of a girl giving birth to a child before her wedding in the tribal district of Kondagaon in Chhattisgarh state.

The marriage of Shivbatti was fixed on January 31 with Chandan, but while performing the ritual of turmeric on January 30, Shivbatti experienced labour pain and gave birth to a child. What happened next was equally surprising. Relatives and friends were more excited with double happiness of having a child along with marriage.

Do you know the reason? This is due to Paithu custom of live-in relationship that allows a girl to live with the boy of her choice, of course with the consent of her family. After spending some time together, both families get them married on an auspicious date and time. This type of marriage still happens, but is now not widely prevalent.

Then there is an arrangement of Ghotul, a religious and social centre for Gond and Muria tribes. It's a co-ed institution with no separate dormitories for unmarried boys and girls (above 16), who get along with each other, culminating into marriage. Dance, music, worship and cultural activities are done here for entertainment and life lessons including the importance of hard work are imparted.

I had earlier discussed about Bhagoriya festival, that is considered as a time for courtship and marriage.

There is one more unique tribal practice of Daapa. If a girl after her marriage, wishes to marry someone else, she is free to do so, once her paramour pays a sum called 'Daapa'.

Due to cultural exchanges, these practices are fading, but core tribals are very advanced in this respect. Girls have more freedom and are not subjected to moral policing. They enjoy equal or more than equal status in almost every aspects of life. We all know about the matrilineal system of Khasi tribe of Meghalaya.

Here the point is not what is good or bad. Every aspect has two sides, and everybody has his or her own perspective. The point here is an equal and even better treatment given to women by the communities, who are considered backward and at the bottom of the society, way back in those early days, while we are still talking of women's emancipation.