Shillong, Oct 10: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has decided to study the customary practice of ‘Shaw Bhoi’ by certain clans in Ri Bhoi District before introducing the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Amendment Bill.

After the meeting of an Executive Committee that discussed the report and recommendations submitted by the Consultative Committee on Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Act, 1977, KHADC Chief Executive Member, Hispreaching Son Shylla said, the Council has decided to gather information on such clans in Ri Bhoi District who are still following the customary practice of ‘Shaw Bhoi.’

According to him, ‘Shaw Bhoi’ is a customary practice by some clans where a male would marry a woman from other communities to preserve the clan.

“In such exceptional cases, such clans are exempted from following the matrilineal system (taking surname from the mother) in order to preserve the name of the clan,” he said.

The issue was brought up by UDP MDC from Nongpoh, Rona Khymdeit in the last session of the Council.

Shylla said that the Council would find out and get more information about such clans and a write up on such clans should also come out.

“In view of the complexity of the issue, the Executive Committee could not fix the date for convening the special session for introducing the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage (amendment) Bill. It is a long winding process, and we have not arrived at any decision yet as there are many other details that need to be looked into,” Shylla said.