Ao Naga property and inheritance laws: Views through patriarchal lenses
Author(s): Dr. Eunice Alinger
Abstract: Age old customary laws of the Ao Naga tribe of Nagaland (India) give legitimacy to social practices which wholly supports and promotes patriarchy. Within these non negotiable social norms is the very important issue of property and inheritance laws. The paper has made an attempt to revisit these inheritance laws and in its process have rediscovered the deep hold of patriarchy within Ao society, still permeating every village and every household. Although daughters are treasured, male heirs continue to be given a special position within family, village and clan structure. Even with the passage of time there has been no dilution or erosion or alteration of property inheritance laws both for the sons as well as for daughters. In principle the Ao tribe continues to fiercely defend its customs and practices. Inheritance laws by default have been uniformly adopted by all the Ao villages in Nagaland. Despite the adoption of modern education and Christianity, social customs and practices for the Ao tribe remain the same. Within this entrenchment of patriarchal tradition and its unbending hold, lies the very identity of Ao tribe.
Dr. Eunice Alinger. Ao Naga property and inheritance laws: Views through patriarchal lenses. Int J Hist 2024;6(2):162-164. DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2024.v6.i2c.305