By Barnes Mawrie
It might sound rather strange and unusual to speak of the connection between the two. However, if we go deeper into it, this might not sound so strange after all. Matriliny is a socio-cultural system where the role of the progenitress (mother) is dominant. In this system the lineage is traced through the mother and not the father. Matriarchy on the other hand is a system where the woman is head of the family and she assumes control of all household affairs. In most matriarchal communities matriliny is also practiced as part of it. However, in some communities like the Khasis and the Garos, matriliny and patriarchy are simultaneously practiced.
It is undeniable that there is a close resemblance between a human mother and Mother Nature. Both are endowed with the ability of reproduction and nurturing. The fact that Nature is ascribed a feminine gender in all cultures, proves the presence of motherly traits in her. This is the reason, why matrilineal and matriarchal societies are naturally more closely connected to nature than patriarchal societies. This brings me to the argument that matrilineal and matriarchal societies are better inclined towards Earth care than others.
When we go back to the early years of our Khasi society, we see a sort of elemental relationship that used to exist between the community and their natural environment. The ancient Khasis had tremendous respect and love for Mother Nature. In fact they addressed her with titles like “Meirilung Meirisan,” “Mei Ramew,” “Mei Mariang,” etc, all indicating the motherhood of Nature. This was the reason why nature was never exploited by our ancestors. It was said that when people required trees or other materials from the forests for constructing their houses, they would seek first the permission of the guardian spirits and then they would take only as much as they needed and nothing more. When they would go fishing they would fish only for their sustenance and not for commercial purposes and no destructive means were used like lime, dynamites or other chemicals as people do today. Even in the practice of agriculture, our ancestors exhibited tremendous respect and concern for Mother Nature. They would cultivate in one place and then moved on to another location and would return to the same plot after a few years thereby allowing the land to heal itself. It was essentially an organic farming using the natural manure provided by Mother Nature herself. No wonder, our ancestors were healthy and lived long because they ate organic food free from chemicals and poisons.
Psychologically, we can explain why tribal societies where women are extremely respected and play dominant roles, are more inclined towards Earth care. Women are naturally endowed with motherly traits and they are highly sensitive to the needs and sufferings of others. Therefore women are naturally and psychologically more connected to Nature and they understand her better than men do. It is because of the emphasis on the feminine dimension of the community that tribal communities in general demonstrate exceptional respect and care for Mother Nature. They look at Nature as a true mother who provides them with materials for their shelter and food for their sustenance. In matrilineal and matriarchal societies this aspect of motherhood is more prominent and thus the link with Nature is much closer.
History has shown that much of ecological destruction has taken place in western societies where patriarchy is the system. We are aware that deforestation and exploitation of nature for natural resources has been going on for centuries in western countries. The well known Sahara Desert was once upon a time a rich forest land but due to the wanton felling of trees by the Romans and others, it has turned into a vast desert. A patriarchal system where man rules, is characterized by an attitude of domination. This in turn leads to greed, ambition and destruction. The conflict between patriarchy and matriarchy is beautifully depicted in the blockbuster Avatar of James Cameron where the muscle men of western materialistic society come into confrontation with the tribal community known as the Navi. The former group is bent on destroying Mother Nature while the latter is determined to protect her.
Looking at the current situation where we are threatened by global warming and climate change because of man’s cruelty to Nature, it makes us realize that the attitude of domination and exploitation so characteristic of patriarchy, needs to be tempered by a motherly attitude of care and preservation. Matrilineal societies like the Khasis or Garos and a few matriarchal societies in different parts of the world are in a better position to teach the world about the necessity of respecting and caring for our Mother Nature and the importance of connecting ourselves to her. After all, solving environmental problems is more about changing attitudes than formulating policies. Unless our attitudes of greed, ambition and cruel domination are changed, there will be no respite for Mother Nature. In my opinion, even patriarchal societies need to allow the feminine and motherly dimension to emerge so as to give way to noble sentiments of love, compassion, care and concern which are so essential in our relationship with Mother Nature.
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