Metaphors of Gender in the Social Organisation of the Khonds in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

This research attempted to investigate the many interpretations of indigenism and tribe in newlineIndia and the gender relations in these communities from a critical feminist lens under the newlineframework of: newlinei. What is indigenism in an Adivasi context and whether there are gendered spaces of newlinenegotiation that constitute egalitarianism and adivasi feminisms. newlineii. Whether nature as a pivot of engagement and knowledge in the production and newlinereproduction discourse influences gender relations and egalitarian spaces within newlineAdivasi society. newlineiii. How and what forms of engagement with the dominant state have brought changes in newlineadivasi gender relations. newlineiv. What are the indigenous women s demands and voices on and newlineindigenism in these transitions into post modern and neo-liberal contexts of newlinedevelopment discourse and their linkages to Adivasi women s demands and newlineperspectives. newlineThe research studied the daily lives of Adivasi men and women in their roles over newlineproduction, reproduction and social relations to understand what customary opportunities newlineprovide for egalitarian dialogues and whether gender hierarchies and discrimination exist newlinein overt or covert social structures. newline newline