ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the allocation of gender roles in the agricultural economy in Mizo society. It explores the value of the unpaid or unwaged labour of women in rice production in particular and in various economic activities in general. The Mizos belong to a Mongoloid stock, speaking Tibeto-Burman language. ‘Mizo’ is a generic term for tribes like the Lusei, Hmar, Mara, Lai, Fanai, etc. living in the present state of Mizoram and the adjoining areas. In the earlier European records these people are referred to as Kuki, Lushai and Chin. During the course of their migration towards the present home-land (Mizoram), the Mizos must have lived a subsistence life. Their main food crops probably in cluded maize, millet and yam. The form of agriculture practised was jhuming. Agricultural work had to be carried out in sun and rain; men used khumbeu (hat) and women, old clothes as a means of protection.
