charge of the home and the property.they make sure everything runs smoothly.host: in the state of meghalayathe khasi -- who number roughlyone million -- are officially recognized as an ethnicminority. they enjoy certain privileges,with khasi laws protected by an autonomous district government.they also pay lower taxes and benefit from india's employmentreservation policy for government and public sectorjobs. jobs. indian culture tends to favorboys over girls. but in khasi culture, a familywith no girls is considerd unfortunate.men are financially dependent on their wives.there are barely any registered cases of domestic violence.in the afternoons, the women like to meet up for tea andgossip in mawlongbna. from farmers to businesswomen,everyone here chas together comfortably.kong arbi is the owner of the tea house.ms. arbi: i sell tea and light snacks.i provide for my own children and my whole clan.i don't earn a lot, but it's enough for my family.host: kong arbi is determined to protect khasi tradition fromoutside influences. ms. arbi: as a woman, i'm veryproud of our tradition. men move in