Why a Tribe in India Gives Children Their Mother’s Last Name

In many parts of the world, children traditionally take their father’s surname. But in northeastern India, one well-known tribal community follows a very different—and fascinating—custom. Among the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya, children inherit their mother’s last name, along with family property and lineage.

This matrilineal system has intrigued anthropologists, historians, and global readers alike, making it a powerful topic for anyone interested in unique cultures in India, gender roles, and social traditions. 

Who Are the Khasi People?

The Khasi are an indigenous community primarily living in the Indian state of Meghalaya, near the Bangladesh border. Known for their lush hill settlements, living root bridges, and strong clan identities, the Khasi have preserved a social structure that dates back centuries.

Unlike patriarchal systems common in South Asia, Khasi society is matrilineal, meaning descent and inheritance pass through the female line.

What Does “Matrilineal” Really Mean?

In a matrilineal society:

. Children take their mother’s surname

. Property is inherited through daughters

. Family lineage is traced through women

. Clan membership comes from the

mother’s  side 

Among the Khasi, the youngest daughter—called the Ka Khadduh—traditionally becomes the custodian of ancestral property and is responsible for caring for aging parents.

This practice challenges common global assumptions about inheritance and family hierarchy.

Why Do Khasi Children Get Their Mother’s Last Name?

The tradition evolved for several historical and social reasons:

1. Lineage Certainty

Maternity is always known, while paternity historically could be uncertain. Tracing descent through mothers ensured clarity in clan identity.

2. Protection of Property

Passing land and wealth to daughters helped keep property within the maternal clan and provided women with economic security.

3. Social Stability 

Women played a central role in household management and community continuity, making them natural anchors of family structure.

Together, these factors shaped a system that still survives today—despite modernization and social change.

Do Khasi Men Have Power?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions online. While women inherit property and surnames, Khasi society is not completely female-dominated.

Men often:

. Serve in village councils

. Participate in political life

. Act as community representatives

. Manage external affairs

So rather than matriarchy in the strictest sense, the Khasi model is better described as matrilineal with shared authority.

How Is the Tradition Changing Today?

Urbanization, Western education, and economic shifts are influencing Khasi society. Some families now debate inheritance rules, and certain men’s rights groups have questioned the system.

Still, many Khasi proudly preserve this heritage as a defining feature of their identity—especially as global interest in gender-balanced societies and alternative family models continues to grow.

Why This Tribe Fascinates the World?

The Khasi custom draws international attention because it:

. Reverses common surname traditions

. Challenges patriarchal norms

. Highlights women’s inheritance rights

. Shows cultural diversity in India

. Provides real-world examples for sociological research

For readers in the US, UK, and EU, it offers a rare glimpse into how societies can organize themselves in radically different—yet functional—ways.

For readers in the US, UK, and EU, it offers a rare glimpse into how societies can organize themselves in radically different—yet functional—ways.

Final Thoughts

The Khasi tribe’s tradition of giving children their mother’s last name is more than a curiosity—it’s a living reminder that culture shapes family systems in diverse ways. In a world where conversations about gender equality and inheritance laws are rapidly evolving, Meghalaya’s matrilineal society stands as one of humanity’s most compelling social models.