1. To understand the vehement opposition to 33 per cent women's reservation in urban local bodies (ULBs) in Nagaland by male-dominated/all-male Naga tribal bodies - it is imperative that all illusions about tribal society being simple are dispelled. 2. So far - only men are privy to the utilisation and sharing of resources allotted by the Central and state governments - as also available resources of clan andtribe land ownership.(c)In the case of the Nagas - it is even more multi-faceted for historical and political reasons. 4. Now - with rapidly changing national and global economic eco-systems - in a patriarchal society with one foot still in the subsistence economy - economic apprehensions have impacted political perspectives. 5. Opposition to women's participation in decisionmaking bodies and processes is centuries-old in Naga society. Our customary laws are deeply rooted in patriarchy.