Tucked away in a small town of Daporijo, where ducks roam free and you are always within eyesight of a nearby hill, is the home of Aayo, the 56-year old matriarch of the Rai family.
In a country where patriarchy and its associated pitfalls is the norm, the culture in Aayo's family and the whole of Arunachal Pradesh seems like a breath of fresh air, as well as hope for the future. Aayo has 3 children, all girls. She has 3 grandchildren, all girls. Her second daughter and her husband live with Aayo and she, a widow, is the undisputed head of the family. Though a novel concept in the rest of the country, in states like Arunachal, it's just the norm.
Aayo's home is as self-sufficient as it gets. Her house is situated on the banks of the Subansiri river, and enjoys fertile land because of it. The family grows several vegetables in their backyard, like ginger, red spinach, bhindi, pumpkin, a local vegetable called kuchu. It's not all flora though! They also have five pigs (for food and money, when they are eventually sold), ducks, ten pigeons (pets) and two chickens, for eggs.
Out of over 20 tribes that are native to Arunachal Pradesh, Aayo and her family belong to the Tagin tribe. Tagins mostly live in Daporiojo, where the family now resides. In villages like Daporijo around Arunachal Pradesh, the harmony between nature and people is extraordinary. Their religion is called Donyi Polo (Donyi is the sun, Polo is the moon). They worship the earth as mother.
The tribe has an interesting cultural norm that goes against what most of the country is used to. When a Tagin marriage takes place, unlike in the rest of India, the groom gives the dowry. So, it's very ‘profitable’ to have a daughter! Cases like Aayo's, where her son-in-law lives in her home, are very common.
While families like Aayo's seemingly lead a very idealistic, simple life, they have worries too; though they're vastly different from ours. Although Aayo is able to grow many vegetables in her backyard, she has always regretted that the land is not suited to grow rice. Because she has to buy this staple from the shops, it becomes an expensive proposition for her.
Aayo's simple life revolves around her home, her bountiful vegetable garden, and her grandchildren. How wonderful it must be, to live in complete harmony with nature!
