Samipya 1992 Vol 09 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 85

In Gujarat, Vaghari women can do or undo to achieve their goals fulfilled in the family. Their status is superior in the family. Their wish is final and found more powerful in almost all respects. Their I. Q. level is higher. They cannot tolerate any injustice caused by men. At any moment they can give divorce with the consent of their Panch. Divorce is common. There is no problem of widow in this community as the widow remarriage is common. It is known as 'Ghargharana' or Nätaru.
The women's position is not low as it is in caste society. A reason for this is their continuing role in gathering-which is a part of forest economy, It is now very remunerative. In the course of time, the hunting of animals was transformed into a bird catcher and subsequently, taken to the nomadic way of life. It was also transformed into a settled trubul life in rural area. Consequently, the women's role of gathering forest produce was transformed in selling of fruits, vegetables in rural areas and lastly, women's role was transformed into petty traders. Thus, in one way or the other the role of women as an earning member has continued and the status has remained higher in their society, though illiterate, they can compete in any trades. There is no discrimination against women in distribution of food and consumption
marital sex is not allowed because of the need to maintain the integrity of the family.
They are found quarrelling only amongst themselves. They quarrel for petty causes. They do not maintain any modesty or decency at the time of such quarrels. They do not hesitate to use any vulgar words. Sometimes quarrels within the women circle of the community become uncontrollable. They fight physically and try to drag and pull each other by holding hairs, knots and clothes. Nobody can dare to intervene. They occassionally show theit hatredness towards their opponent by throwing urine on the faces of their enemies and by abusing their family members as well as their Goddesses.
The women folk of Vaghari community do not adopt new change. They have continued to have their traditional dresses of respective sub-community in the respective area. They are not prepare to accept any change without knowing the will of local deity, and the deity is always found reluctant to give consent for any change.
Furthermore, the women observe parda or veil, with the animals or birds used as vehicles of the Goddesses, This is just with a view to respect the Goddesses, viz. in Palitana area, women observe Parda with the elephant, because the elephant is the riding vehicle for their local Goddess. Similarly women, follower of Shakti (Shakat) Māta observe Parda with camel and so on. It is further learnt that the status of women is equal or higher. Prior to the introduction of parda system in this community. They observe Parda with the father-in-law and other elders of the husband's group. Of course the observance of the Parda does not come in the way of
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| Samipya : April, '92-September, 1992