Matriliny, answer to abuse of women?

KOCHI: Kerala Historical Research Society (KHRS) is revisiting the matrilineal system that prevailed in the state during the British and pre-British periods to explore whether any strand of the system can be revived to mitigate the growing abuse of women in contemporary society. A one-day national seminar on 'matriliny and joint-family system in the making of Kerala society' is being organized by KHRS in Thrissur.
"The focus of the seminar to be held on May 5 will be the historical and sociological nuances in the making of matrilineal system in Kerala and the intricacies of its gradual disappearance through legislative and other means," said T B Vijayakumar, president of KHRS.
Historians including M G S Narayanan, who will inaugurate the seminar, suggested an open-ended investigation into matrilineal system, which empowered women at multiple levels, as it could give valuable insights to address the upsurge in violence against women in different parts of the country.
"Besides property inheritance rights, matrilineal system provided several other levels of enabling environments to women by not prohibiting them from gaining education," said Narayanan.
P P Abdul Razak, who teaches history at PSMO College, Tirurangadi in Malappuram district, drew attention to another little-known fact. "Contrary to the popular notion, matriliny was prevalent among Muslims in the state, and not just among Nairs," he said.
"Matrilineal system found more acceptance among coastal Mappilas, while those in the interior areas followed patrilineal system. Prevalence of matrilineal system may have helped the coastal Mappilas to be more prosperous than their counterparts in the interior areas, as the system prevented the prospects of fragmentation of their properties," he added.
The breaking up and abolition of matriliny and its appendix, the joint-family system, had far-reaching repercussions on the socio-cultural and political milieus of modern Kerala, according to Joseph John Keethra, general secretary of KHRS.