Synjuk resolves to preserve Matrilineal System

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 2, 2019

SHILLONG: The newly formed body of the tribal clan elders under the banner of Ka Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SRKBH) has resolved to preserve and protect the age-old customary practices of the Matrilineal System.

The Synjuk during its first general council meeting held on Saturday has also elected KHADC chief executive member Hispreachering Son Shylla as its president.

After the meeting, Shylla told reporters that the Synjuk will ensure that the members of the different clans should take the clan/title of the mother.

“We want to prevent the attempt to dilute this system by people starting to take the father’s clan,” he said while urging the Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai (SRT) to reconsider such move.

Shylla further informed that the Synjuk would also write to state authorities to implement Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) Act, 1997.

“The Act clearly states that any Khasi who takes the clan of the father shall cease to be a Khasi. Therefore, the government should not issue schedule tribe certificate to such people,” he said.

He said the trend of taking the title of both mother and father should also be discouraged.

The Synjuk has also resolved to demand the state government to speed up approving the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Lineage) (First Amendment) Bill, 2018 and the KHAD (Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration) Bill, 2018.

Stating that Synjuk will be a ‘think-tank’ of the indigenous community, he said the body also seeks to take up all issues concerning the indigenous people.

Asked, Shylla said the Synjuk will also play a vital role in educating the clan members on the need to change the electoral system to put an end to commercialising voting rights.

“If only candidates who have money are allowed to win elections, it will pose a great danger to the future of the state,” he said.