Editor,
Patriotism, or rather chauvinism, is the proverbial last refuge of the politician. Unfortunately for them it is an uncertain place for retreat. Ethnic purity, from which ethnic cleansing and other racial horrors emanate, is ultimately an attempt by men to control women’s reproductive rights and regulate women’s social and sexual freedom. This intolerable gender discrimination is explained (mansplaining) on the basis of maintaining racial identity.
If one imagines that there is such a thing as Khasi racial purity, it is just a fond hope. Very few ethnic groups are genetically pure. Only isolated groups like the tribes of the Andamans would have genetic uniqueness.
In recent years, numerous genetic studies have been conducted in Northeast India. This region has been a natural corridor for ancient migrations, where Australoid, Mongoloid and Caucasoid populations have crisscrossed over the millennia. The Austro-Asiatic Khasi were the earliest settlers of the region and from these early populations, succeeding generations migrated to South China, Southeast Asia and to Australasia. Maps of these migrations, based on genetic studies can be accessed on the National Geographic website.
An article in the journal Human Biology published in 2004 examined the genetic diversity of the various Khasi tribes: Nongtrai, Maram, Khynriam, Pnar, War Khasi, War Jaintia, Bhoi and Lyngngam. As the Lyngngam are culturally intermediate between the Khasi and Garo, blood samples were also drawn from Garo subjects. The results showed a high degree of admixture between the tribes. Indeed there was a high degree of genetic similarity between almost all the Khasi tribes and Garo individuals, rendering them virtually indistinguishable. The only outlier group were the War Khasi, whose genetic pool is relatively uncontaminated because of geographic isolation till recent years.
It is well-known that offspring carry the genes of both parents. The DNA of these genes come from the nuclei of the male sperm and the female egg. However there is a small amount of DNA present outside the nucleus of these cells located in a cell organ called the mitochondria. The male mitochondrial DNA is not transmitted to the child, only the mother contributes this type of DNA to the baby. So from generation to generation, it is only the mother that contributes to this continuity, irrespective of who is the father.
The National Geographic Genographic Project conducts genetic studies for any individual who sends in a sample of saliva. Recently, a prominent Khasi doctor got his DNA analysed and was surprised to find out that his DNA showed ancestors from Nepal and China. He put the report on his Facebook page. It would be very interesting to conduct DNA studies on the honorable members of the KHADC. Without question it would show mixed ancestries of many kinds, just like for the rest of us.
In the end, culture is a garb we wear, foods we enjoy, festivals we celebrate and a worldview we share. Traditionally Khasis have been peaceful and inclusive, with cultural provisions to admit non-Khasis to the fold, unlike some tribes in the Northeast that have martial histories and exclusive traditions. So we should include everyone who identifies as a Khasi and is proud of this identity. To base it on marriage, or parenthood, or genes is a flimsy argument.
Yours etc.,
Glenn C. Kharkongor,
Via email
Sham legislation
Editor,
KHADC indeed has become a circus arena for the kind of amusement it exhibits. If they are not busy in the cock fight for the throne then in their free time all the wisdom and intelligence is devoted towards designing absurd Bills such as the latest one which further demeans the existence of our women who are already languishing at the bottom of the power hierarchy. When the whole world is marching towards women’s empowerment, sadly KHADC is doing exactly the opposite by snatching the legal ST status from a woman just because she chooses to follow her heart to marry someone outside the tribe. This Bill morally and illegally unjustified.
It’s very unfortunate that whenever a thought for social reforms is raised, the society always blames women. The whole weight of social problems fall on them as if they are the single entity that need to be overhauled. So for all the failure of KHADC as an institution to safeguard the tribal interests whether in land, trade, business etc our women now need to pay the price through this legislation. Trading licenses are being sold for a price to outsiders either by KHADC, Syiemship, and Dorbar Shnong. Let’s not forget that all these institutions are male –dominated. But when the agenda for societal upheaval is raised then women become the scapegoat bearing the blame of diluting the tribal identity.
The arguments put forward by KHADC justifying this act as insulation against invasion from non tribal who exploit our women to get the benefits of ST status and other related economic advantages is a one sided view. There are large numbers of families in our society where a mother alone takes the full responsibility of raising the kids (Kit khun rei), simply because the male (father) has abandoned his wife and run away from his responsibility or is busy enjoying another illicit relationship. This is not the justification that allows our women to marry random guy outside the tribe, but it’s a macroscopic view of the problem, that it is not only a women centric issue. The shortage of dutiful grooms may be the other extreme of this problem. What is wrong with this legislation is the gender bias. How can we put all the blame for the social ills on women, when men are equally part of the problem? It is sheer lack of depth of the KHADC leaders or their male-chauvinism which prompts them to bring such legislation. This issue must be publicly debated.
The Governor needs to reject this Bill. Personal liberty is an integral part of the Constitution (article 21), and our women deserve that liberty. Protecting and safeguarding the Khasi tribe is not the sole duty of women; Khasi men too need to share the responsibility. If our men are qualified enough to take the challenge then our women don’t have to find men outside the tribe with whom they can share the burden of sustaining the family. Moreover matrimonial alliance is not the only culprit in the erosion of tribal identity. The problem is deeply entrenched with politico-economic aspects and governance paralysis of KHADC itself.
The pride of being a matrilineal society is indeed simply a written script on paper, whereas in reality the alpha-male dominance is apparent in every walk of life. By virtue of being the other half of the society, women folk shouldn’t endure such irrational and insensible legislation, hence it needs to be condemned and challenged in the court of law if needed.
Yours etc.,
Sonie Kharduit,
Via email