Manipuri women : Example of fortitude and patriotism
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Laishram Devakumar Singh
Although Manipur is a patriarchal society, womenfolk have greater autonomy in domestic and social matters. Besides, Manipuri women have long been playing an important role in the socio-economic and political issues of the land. Nevertheless, they are mostly kept under the control of the male folk. Women have few says in the familial issue and are rarely heard in the family. All important decisions in the family are taken by the eldest male person of the house. However, their role in pacifying the conflict within the family is worth mentioning. Seemingly their contributions in the socio-economic and political life of Manipur are significant and worth remembering. Women, especially Mothers in Manipur have a long tradition of fortitude, perse- verance, resilience, determination, and compassion. They are indeed the symbol of peace and prosperity. They have long been playing the role of ‘Emoinu’ the goddess of wealth and fortune in the family.
Most of the women are great manager of domestic financial matter. Significantly they keep their respective houses intact by maintaining peace and harmony. Their simplicity and passionate love for their children and family members helps in strengthening the bond of familial ties. They are the court of appeal for their children. Mothers are so precious in everyone’s lives and their very existence is credited to motherhood. That’s why in the Manipuri society women are elevated to the highest hierarchy of reverence. They are the protectors of their children and family members. They always ensure that their children are well fed so that they do not suffer from malnutrition. The real mother always sacrifices their food for their children. They could survive with a glass of water without making it felt to their children. Their only religion is to serve their husbands and children without any complain and make them feel comfort at home. This is the quality of “Real Manipuri Mothers”. They mostly work not for their own luxury but for the support to their respective consort/husbands whom they worship as their deity and for the welfare of the family and for maintaining peace and harmony as their highest priority.
The economic contributions of women specially mother in the countryside is quite significant in the family. (To be contd)
Although Manipur is a patriarchal society, womenfolk have greater autonomy in domestic and social matters. Besides, Manipuri women have long been playing an important role in the socio-economic and political issues of the land. Nevertheless, they are mostly kept under the control of the male folk. Women have few says in the familial issue and are rarely heard in the family. All important decisions in the family are taken by the eldest male person of the house. However, their role in pacifying the conflict within the family is worth mentioning. Seemingly their contributions in the socio-economic and political life of Manipur are significant and worth remembering. Women, especially Mothers in Manipur have a long tradition of fortitude, perse- verance, resilience, determination, and compassion. They are indeed the symbol of peace and prosperity. They have long been playing the role of ‘Emoinu’ the goddess of wealth and fortune in the family.
Most of the women are great manager of domestic financial matter. Significantly they keep their respective houses intact by maintaining peace and harmony. Their simplicity and passionate love for their children and family members helps in strengthening the bond of familial ties. They are the court of appeal for their children. Mothers are so precious in everyone’s lives and their very existence is credited to motherhood. That’s why in the Manipuri society women are elevated to the highest hierarchy of reverence. They are the protectors of their children and family members. They always ensure that their children are well fed so that they do not suffer from malnutrition. The real mother always sacrifices their food for their children. They could survive with a glass of water without making it felt to their children. Their only religion is to serve their husbands and children without any complain and make them feel comfort at home. This is the quality of “Real Manipuri Mothers”. They mostly work not for their own luxury but for the support to their respective consort/husbands whom they worship as their deity and for the welfare of the family and for maintaining peace and harmony as their highest priority.
The economic contributions of women specially mother in the countryside is quite significant in the family. (To be contd)