Souveraines, 2015-2016 Those People where women are free
In some traditional societies, women have always assumed dominant social and spiritual roles. Equality, mutual respect between the sexes, freedom granted to all. In these peoples, women are recognized in their singularities and skills. Here are four peoples from Southeast Asia where female lineages play a decisive role in family and social organization.
In the Khasis, a matrilineal and matrilocal society in North-East India, children are given the name of their mother at birth, and the youngest of the siblings inherits all the land and family property.
In Palawan families in the Philippines, men and women live in perfect equality, placing particular importance on the values of goodwill, generosity and mutual aid.
In the south-west of China, the condition of the woman is unique among the Mosos, a people who practice all forms of matriarchy to the extent that the education of children is here entrusted to maternal uncles.
Finally Badjaos in Malaysia, abolish any form of hierarchy and advocate an egalitarian and libertarian civilization, which gives pride to women.
This project has given rise to a book in 2015, Souveraines, Arthaud edition, and exhibitions.