In the world many traditions ,Customs ,languages are being practiced, each carrying some ethical values , moral experiences and identity of a particular community. We come across many communities following different tradition which reflect their origin ,way of life ,beliefs. Following various different traditions by different communities across the world , add some value to human survival and make human societies enriched.
For example:
The Maoris of New Zealand follow Haka ,a traditional ceremonial dance.
Maosais of Kenya perform Adumu ,a traditional jumping dance.
Hanami of Japan ,a tradition of enjoying cherry blossoms in spring.
Among the many traditions that are practiced by different parts of the world , Some stand out due to their unique social significance. Today , we are going to talk about one such tradition , having a unique social significance, the “fraternal polyandry”.
What is Fraternal Polyandry?
Fraternal Polyandry is a form of marriage in which one woman is married to two or more brother’s from the same family.
Where is it practiced?
This tradition is practiced by different parts of the world including some Himalayan communities of Nepal ,Tibetan population of China, certain rural regions of Bhutan and communities in parts of Himachal Pradesh,Ladakh in India by Hatti tribe.
Why is this tradition been practiced?
The tribe practicing this tradition believes that it prevents family land from being divided among brother’s ,it helps in keeping property within a single household and most importantly it reduces economic pressure on families living in areas with limited farmland.
Origin of fraternal polyandry.
The exact origin of fraternal polyandry is unknown. Historians believe that it developed naturally over time as a practical solution to economic and social challenges ,especially in mountainous regions where land was limited.
Drawbacks of practicing Fraternal Polyandry.
Lack of individual choice.
Emotional impact : sharing one wife among several brother’s can lead to misunderstandings ,competition, and tension within the family.
Decline in modern society.
Psychological stess.
Many women suffer from emotional stress.
Sometimes ,the younger brother’s of family leave the marriage due to feeling of having less influence in the household ,leading to family instability.
Books written on this topic :
The Dynamics of Polyndry : This book is written by a anthropologist named Nancy E Levine. It examines the following points : Why polyandry developed? , How families functioned under the system? , The roles of husband and wives , Population and inheritance issues ,Reasons why the practice declined over time.
The Return of Polyandry : Kinship and Marriage in Central Tibet : This book is written by Prof.Heidi E Fjeld. It explains why brother’s shared one wife and how the system worked in daily life. Research in Central Tibet shows that fraternal polyandry has survived and even reappeard in some communities because it helps families preserve property and maintain household unity.
Movies written on this topic :
Matrubhoomi : A Nation Without Women : It is a fictional and dystopian movie in which a young women named KALKI is purchased as a bride and becomes the wife of several brothers . The films shows how shortage of woman leads to social instability and practices like fraternal polyandry. The film was screened at the Venice Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Award .
Eka Gei Sokari : Released in the year 2020, Ekaterina Gei Sokari is a Sri Lankan Sinhala historical drama directed by Jackson Anthony. The film us based on the traditional Sri Lankan practice of Eka Gei Kaema , a form of fraternal polyandry. It highlights how cultural customs and economic factors influenced marriage patterns in certain rural communities.
Decline of Fraternal Polyandry Around the World
Research shows that fraternal polyandry declined sharply after the 1950s. The main reasons for decline of Polyandry in different regions are as follows :
1. Tibet : Fraternal Polyandry has declined in Tibet due to modernization, changing mindset of people, education and legal restrictions. New generations prefer monogamous marriages based on their personal choice rather that family arrangements. Besides, new polygamous marriages are are no longer legally recognized in the Tibet autonomous region.
2. Nepal : In the Himalayan regions of Nepal, fraternal polyandry has become less common due to education, migration, and modern inheritance systems have reduced the economic need to keep brothers in a single household. Many younger people now choose monogamous marriages.
3. India : In parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and among some tribal communities, fraternal polyandry has declined because of improved education, legal reforms, changing attitude towards marriage etc. However the practice survives in a few isolated areas.
4. Sri Lanka : Historically , polyandry was practiced in parts of Sri Lanka, especially in the Kandyan region. However, legal changes, social reforms and the spread of modern family structures led to its gradual disappearance during the nineteen and twentieth centuries.
The main reasons of decline include modern education, urbanisation and migration, legal restrictions on plural marriages, greater individual freedom in choosing spouse, reduced dependence on family land and agriculture, changing social and cultural values.
Academic Research and Debates
Fraternal Polyandry has been the subject of extensive research by anthropologist and sociologists. Scholars have debated whether the practice should be viewed as a practical adaptation to environmental and economic conditions or as a tradition that limits individual freedom.
Daily life in a fraternal polyandrous family
Life in a fraternal polyandrous family was studied by anthropologists . The studies showed that the work and resources were equally shared among family members. In many agricultural communities, Some brothers worked on farmland while other members looked after the livestock or engaged in trade and other occupations. The wife played a Central role in managing domestic affairs and maintaining harmony within the family. Children were usually raise collectively with care and love of all adults . This system helped families make efficient use of limited resources, especially in mountainous regions with shortage of farmland. However maintaining cooperation among all family members also required mutual understanding, proper communication and equally shared responsibilities.
Future of the tradition
In this section we will try to discuss the following questions.
1. Can it survive in modern world?
The answer to this question is most probably a big No. Due to social reforms, developed societies and education the young generation prefers monogamous marriages rather than polygamous marriages.
2. Will this tradition dissappear completely?
Some anthropologists, historians and social reformers who have studied this topic and have performed research about it believe that this practice is declining with a faster rate . Their research shows that as the societies are developing and as more amount of people are getting educated,this practice may decline in future.
3. What do younger generations think?
Since the youth nowadays is becoming more and more educated about their rights , benefit of societies and for development the younger generation prefer monogamous marriages .
Social and ethical perspectives
Fraternal polyandry raises several important social and ethical questions. Some argue that fraternal polyandry was evolved as a response to geographical, social issues and economic changes and helped families survive I regions with limited resources. It is due to this reason that fraternal polyandry developed in mountainous regions with limited resources. It reflects the ability of communities to adapt with changing needs. It also promoted cooperation among family members and helped preserve farmland and stock for future generations.
However, people in cities argued that every individual has the right to take decisions about his own life , while it be choosing their life partner or carrer.
The debate surrounding fraternal polyandry highlights a huge ethical question faced by many societies which is : how should traditions be managed while preserving individual rights ?
While some view the practice as an important part of cultural heritage, others believe that traditions should evolve according to changing social necessities. As a result , fraternal polyandry has always remained a topic of debate among scholars and community members.
The study of fraternal polyandry tesches us that customs cannot be judged completely by modern standards. Every traditions develops in response to aits circumstances. Understanding these practices requires a lot of respect for the tadition, a good knowledge about its past and proper in depth study of importance of human rights, social justice, personal freedom. This balanced approach helps us to examine traditions critically without disrespecting them and ignoring their significance.
Importance of studying and understanding cultural diversity.
The study of fraternal polyandry helps us understand the diversity of human societies. Different communities have tried to resolve thier social, geographical issues by developed different traditions in response to them. Studying fraternal polyandry helps us to understand how humans reacted to different circumstances and how they tried to overcome their challenges.
Conclusion
Traditions are an important part of society and a way to make all the people come together. The study of fraternal polyandry taught us that traditions develop to overcome the difficulties in human life . We came to know how traditions develop , how they evolve according to the changing needs of society. So rather than judging the traditions only by present day standards, it is important to understand the historical and social circumstances I which it emerged.
By: Yogita Chandrakant Patil
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