Souveraines

Sovereign Women, 2015-2016
These Peoples Where Women Are Free

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In certain traditional societies, women have always held leading social and spiritual roles. Equality, mutual respect between the sexes, freedom granted to everyone. Among these peoples, women are recognized for their uniqueness and their skills. Here are four peoples from Southeast Asia where female lineages play a decisive role in family and social organization.

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Among the Khasis, a matrilineal and matrilocal society in Northeast India, children receive their mother’s name at birth, and the youngest daughter in the family inherits all family lands and possessions.

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Among the Palawans of the Philippines, a society with very little hierarchy, men and women live in perfect equality, placing particular importance on the values of goodwill, generosity and mutual aid.

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In Southwest China, the status of women is unique among the Mosos, a people who practise all forms of matriarchy, as the education of children is entrusted here to the maternal uncles.

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Finally, the Badjaos, in Malaysia, abolish all forms of hierarchy and promote an egalitarian and libertarian civilization, one in which women hold an important place.

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This project led to the publication of a book in 2015, Souveraines, by Éditions Arthaud, as well as to several exhibitions.