Gender Relations Among the Nomadic Tribes

Abstract

newlineABSTRACT newlineThis research attempted to explore the gender relations among Vaidus semi-nomadic tribes, in newlineMaharashtra one of the most marginalised and a neglected section of Indian society, their reality newlineis deeply rooted in history. The researcher has used critical feminist discourse and Dalit feminist newlinetheoretical perspective to understand the lives of semi-nomadic Vaidu women and difference in newlineexperiences, ethnographic method help to understand the complexity of the issues. Vaidu women newlineinvolved in the outside work and responsible to contribute in economy and also responsible for newlinedomestic spheres these two spaces interact with each other which shape their life experiences. newlineThe study is not simply look into gender roles (man and women role) but a deeper investigation newlineof the complexity arising out of internal social institutions and interaction with village newlinecommunity, state machinery which create new threats, spaces, opportunities, and spaces of newlinenegotiations. newlineBeing semi-nomadic tribes, Vaidus exist on the fringes of the social order, how these newlinesocial relations of being outsiders influence their social status and gender relations. The major newlinediscussion revolves around understanding the different axes of inequalities Vaidu women facing newlinein their day-to-day survival, gender roles, livelihood, education, health, citizenship entitlement, newlineand ownership of resources. The study also analysis internal social institutions such as family, newlinekinship, caste panchayat to gain the knowledge of different practice related to women and men newlineand construction of gender ideology which create inequalities. newlineDue to the marginalised social, economic, and political status of Vaidu community, women face newlinemultiple layers of inequalities within and outside society arising out of the intersections of caste, newlineclass, and gender they are the victim of internal patriarchal structure and from sedentary society. newlineIn the process of development discourse, many families among Vaiuds are moving toward newlinesedentarisation which brings changes in community life, study brings focuses on how these newlinechanges influence women lives and gender relations. newlineKey words: Nomadic, Vaidu, Gender Relation, Patriarchy, Women, Caste. newlinexii