Changing Status of Bunt Women: A Study with Particular Reference to Dakshina Kannada
Karnataka India.
Author: Dapparabail, Vanitha , dvanitha.mohan@gmail.com
Department: Post -Department of Sociology
University: Udupi - Karnataka India , India
Supervisor: Dr. Duggappa Kajekar
Year of completion: 2014
Language of dissertation: English
Keywords:
Changing status
, Bunt women
, Dakshina Kannada
Areas of Research:
Women in Society
, Women in Society
, Women in Society
Abstract
The position of women has been changing and different from society to society and from time to time. India is no exception.The history of India begins from Indus Valley civilization. Popular deities during this period were mostly feminine figurines indicating matriarchal social conceptions. Mother worship in religion and the lesser prominence given to males, supported the women and accorded a relatively high status to them. In the Rigvedic period , considered a legendary period, women hardly had any restrictions. In the following years, late vedic period, women's position deteriorated to a level wherein they were just considered merely good for bearing and rearing children. Women are deprived of status in many communities in India.
The land locked country sloping down from the western ghats to the wave lashed shoreline in the southern half of coastal Karnataka, lush with paddy fields and maundering rivers and streams, alternating with green hillocks and forests, once thick and alive with fauna and flora and chirping birds of all hues, is Tulunad, known officially as Dakshina Kannada.This is the Homeland of Bunts of Karnataka. They are also known as Nadavas. There are four subdivisions among them with a powerful class of Tuluva society. Bunts were powerful feudatories in the Grama (village) magane (subdivision) and the district controlled by this local dominant caste. Bunts are prominently agricultural and worship heroes manifested in the form of Bhuta and animism, including in the form of serpent . They practice Aliyasantha kattu (matrilineal family). They succeed their family through female line. Mothers form the stock of descent and kinship. Monogamy was commonly accepted among the Bunts. The social role of Bunt women is highly significant .
Over a period time, the traditional Bunt community and women in particular, underwent a series of changes due to the ongoing changes in society. Revolutionary changes began to disintegrate family structures and the matrilineal family systems .
No studies have been done in this specific area. This study has the following objectives:
1. To understand the traditional position of Bunt women in the family, economy and polity;
2.To study the various legislative, economic, educational, and social changes that have occurred in the Bunt community;
3. To understand the socialization patterns of Bunt girls and Bunt women
4. To understand the present position of Bunt women in the family, their decision making powers, their control over property and their earnings. etc.,
5.To study the extent to which Bunt women participate in other fields like the economic , political and culture spheres.
This research will draw on qualitative and qualitative data.For the primary data. This study will take place in South kanara (Dakshina Kannada) of Karnataka state in India, where the Bunt community is prominent. Two taluk were selected randomly for the purpose of the study, with the help of simple random sampling method. This technique helps to eliminate the bias of the researcher and provides objective data for the study.
