Karava

Karava of Sri Lanka

The Karava Maha Kodiya or main flag of the Karava Community. It depicts several traditional royal symbols. The original flag is illustrated under Karava Heraldry
Regions with significant populations
Sri Lanka, India, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, France
Languages
Sinhala, Tamil, English, Marathi, Telugu
Religion
Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Protestantism
Related ethnic groups
Sinhalese, Tamils, Kshatriyas, Kurukulams, Kauravas

A 19th-century representation of the Karava Makara Flag. The image of the mythical creature Makara is extensively used in Sri Lankan Karava architecture. This flag is one of the main flags still used by the Karavas at their ceremonies. The Mukkara Hatana, an ola leaf manuscript now in the British Museum states that King Parakramabahu IV granted it to the 'Karavas'

The Karava Sun and Moon Flag symbolising the Solar and Lunar Dynasty origins of the community. This flag is also one of the main flags still used by the Karavas at their ceremonies and is another flag referred to in the Mukkara Hatana as granted to the Karavas by King Parakramabahu IV. However the Mahabharata states that the epic Kauravas from whom some Karavas claim descent used flags with the sun, moon and stars in the great Mahabharata war. (some evidence of Karava royal associations predate the Western colonization of Sri Lanka. It is a misconception to say that the Karava rose to prominence by allying themselves with the British when most native government servants claimed to be govi)

Karava (pronounced Karaava) also Karave, Kara, Karavaa, Kaurava is a significant Sinhalese community. The Tamil equivalent is Karaiyar.

General

The origins of the term Karave also Kaurava or Kurukula are still debated. The first recorded instance is the Abhayagiri vihara terrace inscription dating from the 1st century BC denoting a 'Karava navika'.[1] One school of thought maintains that the Karava are the traditional coastal folk citing the similarity between the terms for sea-water (Kara Diya in Sinhalese) and Tamil Karaiyar denoting 'coast men'. Another contends that it was the traditional military or warrior caste of Sri Lanka. Although no specefic mention of such a caste is extant in pre-colonial literature, there is mention of Kshatriya, foreign warriors and mercenaries throughout history. A third opinion is that it stems from the Kauravas of Indian Folklore, which is also the commomon origin theory of the coastal Gavara and Kavarai folk of Andra Pradesh . The 'Vesmuhunu' (mask), 'Devil dance' and 'Kolam' tradition (masked drama/comedy) of the southern coast, while indicating a strong indigenous and a unique tradition, also indicate some affinity with the Karavali of Kerala and Karnataka[2]. Also, an ancient north Indian ship owning and navigating caste was known as Kharva The Mahabarta epic recognized the coastal districts as a distinct community with their chiefs who took part in the epic war (Mahabharata, Book 3, Chapter 51). Karava communities are scattered throughout Sri Lanka including the interior but are predominantly resident on the southern, western and northern coastal districts of Sri Lanka.

Karava myth as well as historical manuscripts such as the Mukkara Hatana, and royal grants indicate that there was also several migrations from Kuru Mandalam Coromandal coast of South India. The Aluth (new) and Parana (old) Kuru korales (provinces) denote such cultural acknowledgement and royal patronage. The migration is by no means one way as there is some evidence of emigration to India Related communities in India are found north of Tanjore in Tamil Nadu well into the Andhra Pradesh coastal areas. All Karava communities throughout Sri Lanka also share a common origin myth that claims an ultimate origin from the Kuru (kingdom) and the epic Kauravas of the Mahabharata. In modern Sri Lanka, occupationally its members include the foremost professionals, capitalists and politicians of Sri Lanka as well as large numbers of wage earners, carpenters, fishermen and farmers. The Karavas came into contact with the Colonial powers ( Portuguese, Dutch and English) before the rural interiors and assimilated (through choice or force) with regards to education, dress, religion and customs and exploited the new opportunities in commercial enterprise earlier than other communities. The Karavas were the most successful at this as all communities strove to mordernize and still do. Today, many Karava are mixed/married with other communities and castes, particularly the Govigama

Traditional status

The Karavas were the traditional fisher-folk, naval warriors and seafaring merchants of the Sri Lankan coast. They were also among the pioneering planters and industrialists of the colonial period. It is a misconception to say that the Karavas rose in prominence allying themselves to the colonial rulers when most natives serving the British and Dutch administration were from the newly elevated farmer caste. However it may be that they remained loyal to the king of their region after the Wijayaba Kollaya. Also, it was our kings who were among the first to convert to Christianity; Prince Jugo Bandara, Don Manoel Jayaweera Astana, Don João Karalliyadde Bandãra, Don Juan Dharmapala Peria Bandara, Don Phillip Yamasingha Bandar, Mahapatabandige Donna Catherina Kusumadevi, Don John Wimaladharmasurya, Prince Dom Afonso, Dom João, Dom Luis and Dom Philip Nikapitiye Bandara. The clan has also claimed to be the naval and military caste of Sri Lanka and were also mercenaries to kings in India and Sri Lanka. Their chiefs were referred to as Patabenda in Sinhala and Patangatim in Tamil, lived in the coast and ports of Sri Lanka[3][4][5]. Although conclusive evidence is lacking that they were the ruling class of the medieval era, there are historical documents including the 'Pujavaliya', 'Rajavaliya', 'Mukara Hatana' and Portuguese state records that suggest their importance to the rulers

It is also interesting to remind that Arya Chakravarti / Kalinga Magha's invasions were repulsed in Panadura (naval battle), Dematagoda, Negambo and Chilaw, Matale being the only exception. The successful naval raids and battles that resulted in the capture of six ships and the destruction of twenty others, one of the earliest of its kind against a European colonial navy in the South Asian waters, (yet stands as a feat so extremely rare unlike land victories) was carried out by King(sub) Antonio Baretto Kuruwita Rala (Prince of Uva), the Regent of King Senerat and relative of Queen Mahapatabendige Donna Catherina Kusuma Devi of the royal lineage. This ultimate warrior's land victories include the expulsion of the Portuguese from the Sabaragamuwa province and the Batticaloa fort. He also fought the Portuguese-Senarat alliance when the king refused to liberate the coastal districts and for three years liberated/controlled a vast area[6] There is ample evidence to show that the Island's kings took a keen interest in shipbuilding, naval and trading activities and the Island's shipbuilders built some of the largest ships of their day. Maha Parakramabahu also respected the rights of the coastal and ship owning merchants.

All major Karava settlements traditionally had service castes such as barbers, drummers, potters, washermen, etc. settled in satellite communities around them. The presence of such settlements is still evident despite the social changes and inter-caste migrations of the past century. The Karavas were one of the few Sri Lankan communities traditionally entitled to use flags. British Government Agents studying Sri Lankan flags have noted that not a single flag could be found even in the residences of Kandyan chiefs as even they were not entitled to use flags. These observations, made in the 19th Century (after 1815), do take into account that the Kandyans were living under a Sinhala Royal dominion that reserved the right to bear flags to the Palace. At the same time, clans and families of most other caste groups in the lowlands did not bear flags. It is also certain that these flags depicting royal emblems existed before the archaeological excavations of Anuradhapura began in the latter part of the British and post British era, substantiating many of the depictions. A large number of these Karava flags have survived the ravages of time and many are illustrated in E. W. Perera’s book Sinhalese Banners and Standards. However, despite the extent of the collection, they are scattered throughout the book and not in a special chapter. As such, their significance is missed by most readers. The sun, moon, stars, elephant, fish, white shield, pearl umbrella, swords, lotuses, and ship all of which were royal symbols in Sri Lanka’s past.

Royal insignia

Although the Karava community describes the usage of royal insignia, there is no mention in the entire 2500 year odd history of the Sinhalese race that the Karava or for that matter any other caste (other than kshatarya) had any claims to the throne of Sri Lanka except for the 'Rajavaliya'. The origin of the term 'Royal Insignia' is therefore hotly debated among scholars and considered a modern affectation of gentility. However, it is certain that these insignia of royal emblems existed before the archaeological excavations of Anuradhapura began in the latter part of the British and post British era, substantiating them. The symbolic use of the conch shell in all things sacred and regal cannot be denied, so too was the tying of the royal forehead plate; Nalapata because they are mentioned in the 'Rajavaliya'. Ancient rock inscriptions, copper plates & coin engravings are now available trough archaeological excavations depicting the emblems of the ruling dynasty. These customs are common to all regions of South Asia and beyond, not just Sri Lanka (whose royal dynasties originate mostly from India in any case) and scientifically valid. Likewise the sun and the moon, pearl umbrella are traditional royal items in Sri Lanka's past and throughout the region.

For the past 1,700 years the sacred Tooth Relic of Gautama Buddha was a possession of the ruling king/dynasty of that period, whosoever possessed this was acknowledged as the rightful ruler of Lanka and whoever won the throne usually came to possess it. Upon each change of capital, a new palace was built to enshrine the Relic. Finally, in 1591 it was brought to Kandy where it is at present, in the Temple of the Tooth. Contrary to the current practice, the tooth relic is not exclusive to any caste or gender as that tarnishes the doctrine of Buddhism and becomes a tool of oppression. Even if we overlook the possibility of some royalty stemming from this Suryawamsa warrior/mercenary community, what is certain is that the Abhayagiri vihāra was the early custodian of the Tooth Relic and the Karava Navika, Kuruvira (warrior) Sujatha, Illa (Hela) Bharta and Thissa (King/Prince) held positions of distinction & privilege in that Viharaya. Again during the Polonaruwa period, the custodians of the relic was the Veleikkara regiment, its one time leader was Vijayabahu the Great's commander Kurukulattaraiya; 'the prince with the golden anklet'. Also, the Island's last north Indian (Aryan) king Nissankamalla disliked the Govi aspirations, Maha Parakramabahu too, taxed them heavily Therefore, it is clear that the present ideology and situation surrounding the relic was different in the past.

The possession of the tooth relic alone was however not sufficient for the general turned king; Don John Wimaladharmasurya, but the 'royalty' of Mahapatabandige Donna Catherina Kusumadevi. Additionally, there had been many instances in history where there had been several simultaneous kingdoms, the 'rightful' not possessing the 'Tooth', while many not so 'rightful' had ruled, e.g., Rajarata-Ruhuna-Dakkhinadesa, Kashyapa-Mogallana, Alakeshwara-Buwanekabahu V, Kotte-Sitawaka-Kandy, colonial. Even in the land-locked Kandyan kingdom 'Unambuwe' a son of a concubine of some considerable background from the vicinity of the 'Tooth' was deemed not of 'royalty', hence a Tamil of royalty was imported from Madurai. This last Kandyan royal dynasty (four kings) of Nayake origin was from the Balija caste.

The oldest Buddhist sect in Sri Lanka, the Siam Nikaya (estd. 19 July 1753) are the current custodians of the Tooth Relic. As of 1764, the Siyam Nikaya controversially restricted higher ordination only to the Radala and Govigama castes, Sitinamaluwe Dhammajoti (Durawa) being the last nongovigama monk receive its Higher ordination. This conspiracy festered within the Siyam nikaya itself, where Moratota Dhammakkandha, Mahaayaka of Kandy, with the help of the last two Kandyan Tamil kings took possession of the Siri Paadha shrine and the retinue villages from the low country Mahanayaka Karatota Dhammaranma and appointed a rival

Apart from flags, the Karavas were the only community in Sri Lanka entitled to the use of the said 'royal insignia'. Insignia such as the pearl umbrella, flags, swords, trident, yak tail whisks, lighted flame torches and drums were previously widely used by the Karavas at their weddings and funerals. Such usage is now greatly reduced but even now it is not unusual to see these royal symbols used even at funerals of extremely impoverished Karavas. See Karava Heraldry

Across the Palk Strait, the kinsmen of the Karavas too have used similar insignia in the past. H. R. Pate describes a wedding as follows: "A peculiar feature of the wedding is the procession to the bride’s house with virudus or banners supposed to be the insignia of the Kingly ancestors of the race. The emblems consist of 21 flags embroidered with representations of various objects, animate and inanimate, such as a Snake, a Peacock, a Palmyra, a Chank, the Sun and Moon an Elephant. A Fish and so on. In addition to these a large Umbrella, a Shield and other trappings are carried. The bridegroom wears a costume called KAPA resembling the state robes of Jathi Thalavi More and white cloths are spread before hi in his path". (Madras District Gazetteer 123 & 124)

With the fall of Sri Lankan kingdoms under Dutch and British colonialism the Karavas kept to their occupations such as deep sea fishing, cultivation, and trading for survival.

Origin with the Kuru

An ancient flag of the Karava Arasakularatne clan.

In Sri Lanka, some Karave claim Kuru - an Indo-Aryan Kshatriya tribe from northern India - ancestry, thus assimilating with the Sinhalese people.

Karavas, south of Colombo, along with all other Sinhalese communities, the Karavas are Sinhala speakers and are devoted Catholics and Buddhists. With Salagama and Durave, they make a sizable number of people among the coastal Sinhalese sub group. The Karaiyars are an ancient seafaring, warrior caste native to the North Eastern parts of Sri Lanka and the Coromandel Coast, India. They are of mostly Hindu or Christian.

Timeline

See Timeline of the Karavas

Flags and insignia

See Karava Heraldry

Social position

The battle flag of Sri Lanka, captured by the British from Sri Wikrama Rajasinghe’s army. It displays the kettle drum which was beaten before battles and five weapons (panchaudha). In the past, a medallion with panchaudha symbols used to be tied on Karava infants for protection. This is a heathen practice that still survives in rural Sri Lanka among many impoverished communities.

The Karave community of today is made up of many Clans as indicated by their hereditary ancestral names also known as "Ge" names and Clan names. In Sri Lanka they are an influential and prominent caste among the majority Sinhalese. They are now said to be behind the majority Govigama.

Most Karave were converted to the Catholic religion during the Portuguese period. (See Patabendige for Portuguese conversion strategies). During the British period several Karava families, along with families from other communities achieved elite status by participating in the colonial economic activities. Although the strides made thus far by a few families are impressive, and many members of the community are leading professionals and businessmen, a great many of them now languish at the bottom of the economic order, deprived of opportunities for progress .

Political influence

The democratic system of Sri Lanka, where the main political parties are run as family organizations, dominated by the elite Radala and Govigama castes has prevented Karava and other minority community politicians from ever reaching the top or gaining political influence. In 1911 they went to Tamil Nadu to convince a person who had retired there inorder to prevent the well educated Sinhalese Sir Marcus Fernando from getting elected to the State Council. However, they unanimously supported the election of Sir James Peiris a decade later. Young leaders rising up against the system have been continually eliminated by the Sri Lankan state since the 1970s.

Non–Govigama representation in Parliament has steadily declined since independence and representation of non-Govigama castes are well below their population percentages. [7]. Caste representation in the Cabinet is limited to a few very visible, but unconcerned and disconnected members from a few leading castes. However none of these representatives are known to have ever spoken on behalf of their respective communities or done anything constructive for the progress of these communities.

Ancestral names

Gé names among the Sinhhala speaking population are traditional hereditary family names. They denote a person's ancestry, caste, social status of an illustrious ancestor or the village of origin. The Karava traditionally used the title or clan name before the 18th century emergence of the govi. Hence, 'Patabandi' became 'Patabadige'. These names predate the 16th century European colonisation of Sri Lanka. Gé names precede an individual’s personal name unlike a surname which follows one’s personal name. As such it is important to understand the historical significance of these ancient Ge’ names vis-à-vis the 20th century British period acquired surnames. The Karavas Ge’ names overwhelmingly show a traditional military, royal or marine heritage. Some of the more frequently encountered Karava Ge names are given below. Many members of the Karava caste descend from an Iberian ancestor, dating back to the 16th century, as it is known that the Portuguese, mostly men, were ordered to marry local women everywhere in the Portuguese empire. In those cases they also use, apart from Ge names, their Iberian-derived surnames such as De Silva, De Mel, Fernando, Perera, Mendis, Almeida, De La Salle, De Mazenod, Peris. Sometimes the use of a Portuguese surname also resulted from conversion along with many kings and aristocrats of the period.

Ge names based on Leadership or Heredity (nobility)

• Aditya: Suryawamsa king/chief/noble
• Arasanilayitta: Regent (posessing royal authority)
• Arachchige : house of the village headman.
• Olupathage  : house of the lords or rulers of the Lotus flower (etymology: Olu-Pathi-ge). The 'Olu' Lotus flower is for instance also found on the Royal Seat exposed at the Colombo National Museum and on the mural depicting the Dahamsonda Story.
• Patabendige: house of the local headmen. 'Pata' in this name refers to a golden plate that this clan was wearing to denote their royal status

Ge names based on Military activity (nobility)

• Arasa Marakkalage : house of the Royal Mariners.
• Egodage : house of great warriors.
• Galappaththige : house of naval commanders.
• Hennedige (also Senadige) : house of the commanding officers.
• Hewage : house of soldiers.
• Kodituvakkuge : house of gunners
• Tantrige (also Thanthrige, Tantulage, Thanthulage) : house of experts in warfare as in Veditantrige.

Ge names based on profession

• Acharige : house of blacksmiths.
• Badalge : house of silversmiths.
• Berawage : house of drummers.
• Guruge (also Gurunnanselage) : house of teachers.
• Hettige : house of people of commerce.
• Ilandarige : house of messengers.
• Kankanamage : house of supervisors of workmen (of military weapons production).
• Kodikarage (also Kodippilige) : house of custodians of the battle flags.
• Liyanage : house of clerks, writers.
• Maliamage : house of sailors.
• Manage : house of grain measurers.
• Manavige (also Malimige, Malavige) : house of ship captains.
• Mandadige : house the officers in the fishing industry and town markets.
• Marakkalage : house of the ship/boat owners (see illustration of Marakkalam vessel on right). Arab Muslim traders got this name due the ships being called Marakkar in India ans (Sri Lanka). As such Hindu mariners of Karnataka are also referred the same. Arabs did not call themselves Marakkar.
• Mestrige : house of the Master craftsman and artisans.
• Paindakarage : house of messengers.
• Palliyaguruge : house of school masters.
• Pathirage : house of accountants.
• Sattambige : house of teachers.
• Thantrige : house of educated men in a particular field or profession as in Mututantrige (pearl), also Priests,.
• Tuppahige : house of interpreters.
• Vaduge (also Baduge) : house of carpenters, ship & boat builders, also descendant of Vadugar as in Bala-Appu Vaduga.
• Vedage : house of expert in the Vedas or Ayurveda (More likely the latter as 'Veda' in Sinhalese is grammatically aligned to the root denoting Ayurveda and not the Broader Indian Veda learnings. Hence 'Vedage' probably refers to the local herbal healer / medicine man in the Ayurveda tradition.
• Vidanage : house of civil officers.
• Vitharanage : house of inquirers (judicial settle minor disputes).

Other names based on tribe or clan

Other than Karavas having Ge names, most of the Karavas in Sri Lanka belong to one or more of the Suriya clans Weerasuriya, Wickramasuriya, Kurukulasuriya, Warnakulasuriya, Mihindukulasuriya, Bharathakulasuriya, Manukulasuriya, Vijayakulasuriya or Arasakulasuriya which appear to indicate distinct streams of migrations or clans loyal to distinct Kings. Other clans are Vadugas, Koon Karavas (such as Samarakoon, Weerakoon etc.), and Konda Karavas (such as WeeraKonda, Konda Perumal Árachchigé etc.). Some examples are:

• Aditya: Denotes a suryawamsa king found throughout India, but exclusive to the Karavas in Sri Lanka, recorded as Ditta or Adicca in some ancient texts. (The first royal dynasty of the similar linguistic culture to the Sinhalese, from the thousand cluster islands; the Maldives, was Aditya)
• Arasanilayitta: Possessing kingly status
• Kurukula (Suriya): Descending from the Kuru clan
• Varnakula Suriya: God Varuna Sea God (alternately Colour-Caste)

Notables

• Agga Maha Pandita Polwatte Buddhadatta Mahanayake Thera: Sri Lanka's first Scholar Monk to receive 'Agga Maha Pandita'
• Amaradeva, Pandit: Legend of 'Sinhala Classical' music/vocals, creator of the Sinhala Art Song, Padma Shri, Deshamanya and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient
• Aravinda De Silva: Legendary Batsman (Cricketer)
• C T Fernando: Legendary musician/singer
• Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith: 11th Archbishop of Colombo, second Sri Lankan Cardinal
• Chaminda Vaas: Legendary Bowlwer (Cricketer)
• Clancy Fernando - Admiral: Ex- Commander of the Navy
• Chinthaka De Soysa: Former SAARC 100 meters record holder
• Dombagasare Sri Sumedankara Thera: Discoverer and restorer of the ancient Seruvila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya
• Dodanduwe Piyaratana Tissa Nayaka Thera: the founder of the first Buddhist school in Sri Lanka[8]
• Ediriweera Sarachchandra: Ramon Magsaysay Award winning playwright, poet and social commentator
• G. L. Peiris - Prof.: Current Cabinet Minister of External Affairs.
• Gratien Fernando - Bombardier : Anti-colonial agitator
• Indra De Silva: Ex- Inspector General of Police
• James Peiris - Sir : National Hero (Independence), First elected leader (Vice President) of the Legislative Council of Ceylon & the World's First non-European President of the Cambridge (or even Oxford) Union.
• Jaliya Wickramasuriya current Ambassador to the United States and Mexico.
• Jayalath Weerakkodi - Air Marshal : Ex- Air Force Commander
• Joe Abeywickrama: Legendary Actor
• Lata Walpola: Hela Gee Rejina / Nightingale of Sri Lanka
• Leslie Goonewardena: Independence Activist and Co-Founder of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party
• Lester James Peiris: Father of Sinhala Cinema (Sri Lankabhimanya recipient)
• Malini Fonseka: The Queen of Sinhala Cinema
• Marcelline Jayakody - Fr. : Catholic priest, musician, lyricist, author & Ramon Magsaysay Award & Kalasuri recipient
• Martin Wickramasinghe: Island's Favorite Novelist
• Rohana Wijeweera: Founding leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.
• Ronnie De Mel: Ceylon Civil Service (CCS),Cabinet Minister and current Senior Presidential adviser.
• Sajith Egodage: Last Trinity College boxing Lion & All Island Boxing Champion in 1983
• Sanath Jayasuriya: Legendary All-Rounder (Cricketer)
• Sarath Fonseka - General: Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and former candidate for President of Sri Lanka
• Tyronne Fernando: Cabinet Minister,Presidential adviser and Former Governor of the North Eastern Province
• Veera Puran Appu: Sinhala Hero who fought against the British.
• Waduge Mahinda Deshaprya:Commissioner General OF Election
• Weligama Sri Sumangala: Scholar Monk, Buddhist Revivalist & educationalist

See also

• Caste in Sri Lanka
• Bharatakula
• Negambo Tamils
• Sinhalisation

References

• ^ RAGHAVAN, M. D., The Karava of Ceylon: Society and Culture, K. V. G. de Silva, 1961.
• ^ Caste Conflict and Elite Formation, The Rise of the Karava Elite in Sri Lanka 1500–1931. Michael Roberts 1982, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 81-7013-139-1
• Madras District Gazetteer—Tinnevelly Volume I 1917 H. R. Pate
• ^ Social Change in Nineteenth Century Ceylon. Patrick Peebles. 1995, Navrang ISBN 81-7013-141-3.

External links

• Karava history
• Karava web site - Kshatriya Maha Sabha Sri Lanka
• Karava - the blue-blooded Kshatriyas
• The Maha Oruwa (Indigenous Sailing Ship)
• The Bala (Power) Oruwa: world's fastest traditional sailing canoe
• The Devil Dancers of Sri Lanka, les stroud beyond survival