The Place of Women in the Wancho Society of Arunachal Pradesh : An Analytical Study

Abstract

Arunachal Pradesh is the home of a member of different ethnic communities. Each of them is rich in the sphere of their art and culture. Each of them is rich in the sphere of their art and culture. Such an ethnic community is the Nagas. The Nagas are divided into several sub-ethnic groups— Tangkhul, Mao, Maram, Kuboi, Kacha, Kairao, Kaireng, Mering, Nocte, Wancho, Zemi, Rangmei, Liangme, Sema, Ao, Angami, Chakechang, Chang, Chira, Khiyamnangan, Kanyac, Lotha, Makwar, Phome, Rengma, Changtam, Tikhir, Yimsumrey, Zeliang etc. Of these tribes, the Wanchos are scattered over different places of Arunachal Pradesh including the district of Tirap in addition to Nagalang. In addition to this they are seen to be living in the bordering areas of Arunachal in the districts of Sivasagar and Lakhimpur of Assam. There is no written account of their original home. We are to include different aspects which dealing with the place of women in society. None can think of societal study without dealing with women. Women play a major role in society right from performing domestic cores to taking part in festivals and working in agricultural fields. But it is not possible to include in this short paper all the aspects connected with the role of women in the Wancho society. So I have decided to focus on some particular aspects of their role in the society. Those aspects are— Their place in Economic, Educational, Religious, Political, Matrimonial and Property-related matters. While discussing this topic, descriptive, analytical and investigative methods are adopted. Information collected on the basis of our field study in the deopani village of Sivsagar district of Assam bordering Arunachal Pradesh has been accepted as the primary source of this study and information gathered elsewhere has been accepted as secondary source.