TODAY -

The trend of inter-racial marriage among tribal girls

Tara Manchin Hangzo *



Last year, I tried something new and, frankly, a little out of my comfort zone, to join an online Matrimonial site. All my friends who got married in their 40s seem to have found their life partners online and that too to white men.

This trend I have observed is more common with tribal women than with the boys. Recently very pretty girls were engaged to men old enough to be their fathers and joined in holy matrimonial to white men, with thick bank balance and seem to have made a grand success of their marriage. (you just have to look at their Facebook status and pictures to see how successfully they have married and are leading almost celebrity lifestyles.)

There must be something that makes the white men or any foreigners more attractive even if they are much older than the girls they marry. Have we ever wondered, or tried to analyze why such a trend is becoming more and more popular amongst the tribal girls? In fact our girls prefer foreigners to our local boys and don't mind marrying them. And do our boys object to such act? we have to ask them.

So it's not surprising that a number of hip marriage fads with foreigners is the new trend of this daring youngsters. I seriously think whether it is worth exploring, but there is no interesting research to back me up... so I just have to anticipate the reasons .

There is no such law in our culture that prohibits tribal girls from marrying outsiders. Imagine! In Saudi Arabia, there is a government law which prevents their citizens from marrying outsiders. Over here, nobody cares, our thinking is progressive and it's an outdated practice to prohibit a girl from marrying whomever she wishes to marry.

Our culture doesn't practise arranged marriages. Everyone opts for love marriages and are free to choose their own life's partners unless they have meddling mothers , who think that their children are incapable of finding their matches which fit their criteria and dump a stranger into their marital bed .

Is there lack of eligible bachelors in our state? I don't know. Maybe! Tribal people as a principle do not practise female feoticide. The other day I was reading a news which said that 4.5 lakh males in northern Indian states like Punjab, Haryana , Delhi are finding it difficult to find girls to marry within their own community in their states while the opposite seems to be true for Manipur.

The tribal customary law does not safeguard the rights and needs of women as it gives impetus to men to discard their wives with impunity. Even today, tribal system of divorce leaves women impoverished and disadvantaged without adequate means to support themselves and their children .The former husband who marries again fails to provide alimony for his ex wife and children he abandoned .

Some children born out of wedlock are totally ignored and not even acknowledged by the men, making it the responsibility of the young mothers and their parents to educate and feed her. Tribal men are not made accountable for their acts by the customary laws .So women who are abandoned and not accepted have to undergo lots of emotional, social and psychological traumas.

Another reason could be economic and religion since marrying a rich Christian white man is perceived to enhance the status of tribal girl and her family unlike marrying a mainland Indian or a black man. (I called this the dollar/pound effects). Anyway the neighbour's approval is more for the white skin than for the brown one). Being a Christian, preference is for white people who are also presumed to be Christian and have similar taste in food , clothes and to a certain extent a similar attitude and mindset .

For a Christian tribal girl of the Northeast, trying to make inroad into the caste based Hindu society is quite challenging (because of the complexities and clash of customs and cultures), though there are few examples of inter-caste, inter racial marriages between a north /south Indian and NE girls. What I observed is that the girl stands at equal level, be it at job or similar background. Many of our girls who got cleared in the civil services/corporate jobs have opted for our mainland Indian men as their spouses. It's a question of status symbol. I still remember an incident that happened long ago.

A friend of mine was looking for a potential spouse. She met an Indian man online .He came to visit her after some time and they liked each other. But I was taken aback by the biased reaction of her mother .She just didn't approve of this brown man though mentally and emotionally her daughter was more compatible than the white man she ultimately marries. (So we are racist in some way.)

On the other hand, the tribal girls have become more independent as they move out of our sleepy town into dazzling cities to study and earn their livelihood. There, they get opportunities to interact and meet people from all over the world and their choice increases .They dream big and want a better life for themselves plus our girls are smart .

The north Indian men, the Arabs and Nigerian used them as plaything and exploited them so the foolish one gets stuck and some of them waste their time while the smart cookies opt for well placed white men who fulfilled their dreams. Nowadays nobody has qualm about marrying a rich man even though they might be much older. Let me put it this way: why not opt for a man who will adore you and take good care of you and your children?

In Churachandpur each household has one or two daughters who are married to white men and are spread all over the world. There was no history of such trends in our mother's generation, it's a new phenomenon and it's a welcome trend especially as the numbers of young widows in their 20s and 30s are increasing day by day. Lord Yamah seems to be rather busy claiming young men's souls in Manipur.

Besides foreigners are not fussy and prejudiced about the past status of the women they wish to marry. The best part is that marriage is possible at any age group, whether you are a young woman in your 20s or in 40s or 50s .

While over here our men are willing to marry only young women in their 20s and 30s and that too a virgin .So who can blame if our smart young girls opt for inter-racial marriages and have a better life?. I applause them!


* Tara Manchin Hangzo wrote this article to Hueiyen Lanpao
This article was posted on May 04, 2015.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #2 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • The Taj Mahal that bans Lovers !
  • Massive hailstorm in Jiribam
  • The messiah of hapless children
  • Attack on fuel tankers & blasting bridge
  • The Happiness Code : Download
  • NH-2 Bridge bombed @Sapermeina : Gallery
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #1
  • Training Programme under SPARK concluded
  • Why environment control is so difficult
  • 4th Foundation Day- Young Minds Collective
  • All set for second phase poll
  • The Nongsaba phenomenon
  • Khongjom Day @Khebaching #1 : Gallery
  • India's responsibility to end Manipur violence
  • Migrant worker could access TB services only
  • Importance of reading magazines as student
  • SHG pioneering agricultural innovation
  • Nearing the one year mark
  • The enemy within
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #2 : Gallery
  • Workshop @ NSU Manipur : Gallery
  • 15th Manipur State Film Awards 2023
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Panthoibi Shanglen
  • GSDP doubles, health shines
  • Vote has been cast, repoll held
  • Two faces of democracy
  • Laurels for Scientist Ngangkham Nimai
  • Crime against women in Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Sugnu
  • Creativity & innovation for vibrant career
  • 4th Foundation Day of YMC
  • Racing towards one year mark
  • Prophetic words, indeed
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #14 :: Book
  • 174th Anniv Maharaj Narasingh #1 : Gallery
  • Ensuring Fair Voting in Hills of Manipur
  • Dr Irengbam Mohendra's latest book :: Rvw
  • NDA has the advantage in both
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #1 : Gallery
  • L Rup's Robot 'Kangleinganbi' in Manipuri
  • Art- means of connecting hearts in Manipur
  • Is it Living Alive or Living Death ? :: Poem
  • Rabies - A preventable zoonotic disease
  • April 19, 2024: The blackest day of all
  • Ugly turns on voting day
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • The chasm between TB & HIV continues
  • Parliament and its Members
  • Kimchi for health and glowing skin
  • LS election with a difference
  • To vote, or not to vote ?
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2 : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamjao, Kakching
  • The Power of Poppy - 27 :: Poem
  • Mother Language based education essential
  • Modi's warriors wear regional hats
  • Nest Asia promoting Northeastern Cuisine
  • Now look beyond LS poll
  • The rot in the system
  • Scientists of Manipur : Laitonjam Warjeet
  • Community seed bank @Umathel : Gallery
  • 10 candidates cracked Civil Services Exam
  • Milk of Paradise: History of Opium : Rvw
  • How plastics find their way into our bodies
  • Condemning attack on Trucks along NH-37
  • Cong looking to buck the trend
  • Saving Manipur
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #2
  • Election Duty :: Travellog
  • 1st Nagas' Meet in Punjab
  • How to select right MP to represent Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Tejpur
  • Bats are Keystone species for the Planet
  • The '15 days' conundrum
  • Free but not so fair
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #30: Download
  • Before You Vote : My Rumbling Thoughts
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Kakching
  • Meiraba wins All India Sr tournament
  • Finding light in dark through my daughter
  • Navigating life's unreasonable expectations
  • Test of people's character
  • BJP's election manifesto
  • Athoubasingi Numit #1 : Gallery
  • Black rice & Glycemic Index
  • What Nadda should speak at Dimapur rally
  • Open Letter to CM Office Manipur
  • Meghalaya unveils Strawberry festival
  • Benefits of maths newspapers for students
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #1 : Gallery
  • Are you a good person ?
  • Physics Academy of NE : Executive Body
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Moirang
  • Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin launched
  • Cong on cautious path
  • Botox for Hair
  • Posers voters should raise now
  • The lull before the storm
  • 80th Anniv- Battle of Kanglatongbi @UK
  • Vir Chakra Ngangom Joydutta's bust unveiled
  • Hun - Thadou Cultural Festival : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Singjamei
  • Election Eclipses: Ballad of Battle & Loss
  • Our voices are equal at the ballot box
  • Scientists of Manipur : Ngangkham Nimai
  • Urgent Call for Solidarity in Manipur
  • Meitei Nongsha #2 :: An Artwork
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Waikhong
  • About NPF-BJP-NPP alliance & why ?
  • World Veterinary Day, 2024
  • The heavy stake behind the LS polls
  • The politics of lying & deception
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #1 : Gallery
  • Hun-Thadou Cultural Fest @ Delhi: Report
  • Appeal to Parties & Candidates
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Wangoo
  • Establishment of community seed bank
  • Awareness Programme on new Criminal Laws
  • Make a right choice at the Lok Sabha election
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #1
  • RIST talk-58 : Support systems of elderly
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Hiyanglam
  • Vote, do not boycott !
  • Lok Sabha election: A new dawn in politics ?
  • IIT-Guwahati Half Marathon report
  • Taking ST demand to the election ring
  • Lesson to be learnt from across border
  • Mirabai: Poised for Paris Olympics
  • Legal position for protection of environment
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Keisamthong
  • Heterocyclic compound & biochemical science
  • Inner, torn between two lovers
  • Certification Music Therapy Workshop
  • NOTA as a choice
  • Caesar's wife must be above suspicion
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #29: Download
  • World Health Day 2024
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Pangantabi
  • The Power of Poppy - 26 :: Poem
  • Fulbright Fellowship Outreach at Arunachal
  • Id-ul Fitr da namaz nattana..
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #13 :: Book
  • Lok Sabha election is coming, be prepared
  • 6th Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival
  • Let There Be Free & Fair Election
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamlong
  • Science magazines are important for student
  • Interesting choice of candidates
  • The power of We, the voters
  • Inspirations from Scientists of Manipur #1
  • The Case for Amendment of Article 371-C
  • Meitei Nongsha #1 :: Artwork
  • Link between forest & conflict in Manipur
  • Final Call for Application MFA - Phase-2
  • ST for Meiteis call before elections
  • Passing the buck
  • Beating of the Retreat #1 : Gallery
  • Life of our Lives in Ethnic Strife Era! :: Poem
  • IIT-Guwahati annual Half Marathon
  • Follow up: European Parliament on Manipur
  • Yoga & Kegel exercise: Pelvic floor workout
  • Opting for the NOTA button
  • Yearning of the displaced people
  • Kenedy Khuman (Singer) : Gallery
  • 5th NE Women's Peace Congregation
  • World Autism Awareness Day 2024
  • Election fever grips Manipur despite unrest
  • Looking for a decent election hustings
  • Clock ticking towards voting day
  • An exemplary directive
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #1 : Gallery
  • Memo to Election Commission of India
  • Easter & Holi echo in Nilgiris
  • Holiday Camp for children at JNMDA, Imphal
  • Zero waste is our moral responsibility
  • Elections & loyalty vis-a-vis Manipur crisis
  • Show of strength without unity
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #2 : Gallery
  • Panthoi Chanu : 1st to play in Australia
  • Intensive labs in film preservation
  • Building bridges with books
  • Need of the hour: Political maturity
  • Accepting defeat before the election
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #28: Download
  • April Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • Natural packaging from bamboo : Gallery
  • The Power of Poppy - 25 :: Poem
  • Everyone has their own Bharat Ratna
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #12 :: Book
  • Demand- Manipuri as classical language
  • The Drummer from Odisha
  • Beauty benefits of lemon
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur's original Ponies : Gallery
  • Yaoshang & Dance of Democracy loom
  • Symposium on Jagadguru Shankaracharya
  • Choosing ITI as a campus after X
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #1 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang @Nabadwip Dham : Gallery
  • How oral health affects your pregnancy
  • Two faces of Holi
  • Prawaas 4.0, Multimodal Transport Show
  • A decade of development of higher education
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #1 : Gallery
  • Our Eternal Kangleipak :: Poem
  • Micro-livestock for livelihoods: For NE States
  • The fun of Holi used to be monotonous
  • 2nd Annual Art Exhibition #1 : Gallery
  • About the "Meitei" community from Manipur
  • Unveiling the medicinal benefits of honey
  • The incalculable value of wildlife
  • Promises of true love
  • Trends, Alliances, & Challenges in Elections
  • Meitei Goddess Ngaleima : An Artwork
  • Lamta Thangja @ Imphal : Gallery
  • Meira Paibis of Manipur
  • North East Film Festival #2 : Gallery
  • Students @ Class X Exam : Gallery
  • Saroi Khangba @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Protest for scrapping SoO #2 :Gallery
  • Shopping List for Shivaratri : Gallery
  • N Tombi Equestrian C'ships #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #1: Gallery
  • Radio E-pao: Manipuri Film OST (130+ song)
  • Save Manipur : Protest [Feb 15] #3 : Gallery
  • Naorem Roshibina- Wushu Medallist : Gallery
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD