EMPOWERMENT AMIDST PARADOX: UNVEILING THE COMPLEX DYNAMICS OF MATRIARCHY AND PATRIARCHY IN EASTERINE KIRE’S NAGA NARRATIVES

Easterine Kire’s Literary Works Offer A Nuanced Exploration Of Naga Society, Where Traditional Matriarchal Elements Coexist With Patriarchal Influences Introduced By Colonialism And Christianity. This Paper Examines The Complex Interplay Between Matriarchy And Patriarchy In Kire’s Narratives, Focusing On How Naga Women Navigate Empowerment Within These Paradoxical Structures. Through Close Readings Of A Terrible Matriarchy (2007) And Son Of The Thundercloud (2016), This Study Reveals How Kire’s Fiction Challenges Binary Gender Constructs While Highlighting The Resilience And Agency Of Naga Women. The Paper Argues That Kire’s Portrayal Of Matriarchy Does Not Signify Absolute Female Dominance But Rather A Dynamic System Where Women Exercise Influence Despite Patriarchal Constraints. By Situating Kire’s Work Within Postcolonial And Feminist Frameworks, This Research Contributes To Broader Discussions On Indigenous Feminisms And The Redefinition Of Power In Traditional Societies.