Child Rearing Practices of the Bhoi-Khasis of Umden, Ri-bhoi District of Meghalaya

Childrearing practices have always been recognized as important in understanding many aspects of children's lives and their wider social relationships. Childrearing is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood. It is not just the basic food, shelter, clothing triad that keeps children alive, but also the active moulding of character, personality, talents, and emotional and physical well-being of the child. Culture is seen to play a very important role in influencing childrearing practices in different societies. In most cultures, childrearing practices are highly influenced by the traditional norms, values, beliefs and practices. The study of such beliefs and practices reveal much about a society, and could be an interesting area of study.

This paper is an empirical work on the Bhoi-Khasis of Umden area, a matrilineal tribe inhabiting the state of Meghalaya. The people of Umden have their own established way of bringing up their children influenced by cultural norms and other factors. Most of their beliefs were passed down through oral traditions and they still believe and follow them for fear of percieved dangers associated with it. Interestingly, the coming of Christianity has not lessened the beliefs and myths connected to childrearing in Umden. Thus this paper will discuss the cultural significance of beliefs and practices, also by looking into the role played by the socialisation patterns and social parameters on childrearing practices among the Bhoi-Khasis and analyse how much of a society it reveals.