From Patriarchal Exclusion to Gender Equity: Reassessing the Changing Trends in Property Distribution among the Zeme Tribe of Nagaland

The study explores the changing trends in property distribution amongst the Zeme community of Nagaland.The Zeme tribe is a male-dominated community and follows a patrilineal inheritance system.The Inheritance practices are mainly passed down through the male children of the family, with the female children often left out.However, due to recent socio-economic improvement, urban migration, increase in formal education and legal awareness, the property distribution practices among the Zeme tribe are slowly evolving.The study uses ethnographic observation and a qualitative approach.This paper attempts to analyse the causes of changes in property inheritance practices.The study will also examine the challenges faced by Zeme women in accessing property.