Abstract
Based on an auto-ethnographic insight and complementary ethnographic interactions with 52 women, we document and analyze the patriarchal customs in the Meitei society of Manipur; thereby challenging conventional wisdom which would have us believe that is replete with empowered women. We briefly comment on certain aspects of these customs including their relationship with the Sanskritization of the Meiteis and how they are affected by socio-economic indicators. We also identify two central mechanisms that legitimize such customs: the idea of touheidaba, which is the selective mystical prohibition/commandment of certain acts that cannot be committed/should be committed; and the eulogization of an “ideal Meitei woman”. Lastly, we locate such legitimizing mechanisms and the Meitei woman's response in extant literature on power, resistance, agency and consciousness; thereby seeking to construct a grounded emancipatory theory for the Meitei women.
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