Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 13 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 470-475
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260945
Marriage (Benja) Negotiations among Kisan Tribes: Women as Custodians of Indigenous Water Management Knowledge in Matrimonial Exchange
Bharati Kujur1, Dr. Babita Das2
1Ph.D. Scholar in Sociology
Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
2Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Corresponding Author: Bharati Kujur
ABSTRACT
The Kisan tribe, an indigenous community of eastern India, possesses a rich tradition of ecological knowledge passed down through generations. Among its cultural institutions, the Benja marriage system plays a significant role in shaping family relationships and supporting the transmission of traditional knowledge. This study explores the role of Kisan women in preserving and transmitting indigenous water knowledge within families formed through Benja marriages. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through field observations, semi-structured interviews, and discussions with women, elders, and community members from selected Kisan villages. The findings reveal that women are the primary custodians of indigenous water knowledge, including water-source identification, conservation methods, seasonal water management, and household water-use practices. They transmit this knowledge through daily activities, oral traditions, observation, and participation in community rituals. The study highlights the crucial contribution of Kisan women to cultural continuity and emphasizes their role in promoting sustainable water resource management within the community.
Keywords: Kisan tribe, Cultural institutions, Benja marriage, Water management
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