CULTURE AND GENDER DYNAMICS IN THE CONTEXT OF TRIBES OF INDIA

Abstract

Existing norms, belief systems, heritage, and customs all contribute to the formation of a society's culture. Society's culture varies by region. A society's established culture dictates gender roles and relationships. Gender is a western concept that refers to the division of labour in terms of male and female. This means that while sex is a biological term, gender is a social construct. Gender denotes the expected roles of men and women in the realms of production, reproduction, and power relations in various spheres of society. Culture evolves and changes to take on its current form. Thus, the factors that shape culture have a substantial effect on gender. India is the world's second-largest home to tribal people. There is a widespread perception that tribal women enjoy significantly more freedom in the workplace, decision-making, and empowerment than the women of other castes in society. Gender roles and relationships are not uniform across the country's tribal communities, but rather vary. Additionally, the process of mainstreaming, displacement, and globalisation have altered their traditional culture and gender relationships significantly. With the introduction and exposure to a modern economy, the concept of women empowerment is rapidly changing among tribes. With the exposure to a market-oriented economy and industrialised society played a significant role in altering tribal women's roles at home and in society. The present paper will throw light on the changing scenario of culture and gender relationships among the tribal communities of the country.