Caste system in Sri Lanka

The system of Caste in Sri Lanka is a division of society into strata, differing somewhat from the classic Varnas of India.

The Caste system appears to have been introduced to Sri Lanka by Aryan-language-speakers from North India. There is evidence of the main vedic castes in the early Anuradhapura era. The introduction of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE somewhat blunted the edge of the system somewhat. However, there is a reference to King Dutugemunu Abhaya's son, Saliya choosing to lose caste by marrying Asokamala, a Chandala (outcaste) woman, in the 2nd century BCE.

The later caste system seems to have evolved as much through waves of ethnic migration as by occupation. Among the present-day Sinhalese the Vedic categories no longer exist, while among the Sri Lanka Tamils, the only Vedic category to persist is that of Brahmins; these ethnic groups share many categories.

The major Sinhalese castes (Jathi) are: Govigama or Goyi ('farmers'), Navandhaenna or Ridhi (silversmiths), Karava (fishermen), Dhurave (toddy tappers), Salagama or Haali (cinnamon peelers), Wahumpura or Hakuru (Jaggery-makers), Bathgama or Padhu (bearers), Berava (Tom-tom beaters), Panna (grass-cutters), Kumbal (potters), Radha (Washers or Dhobies), Demelagaththaro (Tamil tribes) and Hinna (washers to the Salagamas). There also 'Out' castes, the Tamil-speaking, wandering 'Gypsies' - Rodi and Ahikuntaka. The aboriginal Veddas were considered to be outside the caste system: many aristocratic families claim descent from these tribes; however, the 'Gypsy' castes may be offshoots of aboriginal hunters employed by the ancient kings.

Among the Tamils, many of these castes are duplicated: Vellala (equivalent to Govigama), Karaiyar (Karava) and Dhuraiyar (Dhurave). There is also a caste called Kovi, the members of which claim to be Sinhalese Govigama isolated in Tamil areas after the Chola conquest of the North.

The Indian Tamils who were brought over by the British as indentured labour were mainly from the lower Indian castes; the South Indian categories came over with them.

It appears that caste was more important than ethnicity until comparatively recently. In pre-British times, the Govigama were classed as Vellala by the colonial authorities. Eurasians and South Indian Chetties were absorbed into the Govigamas. Cross-ethnic marriage was fairly common. Several leading 'aristocratic' Sinhalese families are descended from Tamils or Keralites. Many Karavas speak Tamil at home and have relatives among the 'Tamil' Karaiyars.

Religious practice tends to reinforce the caste system. In the feudal era, people of low castes were not allowed into the shrines of the major gods or into the Buddhist clergy. The priests of the gods (kapuralas) had to be Govigama among the Sinhalese, Brahmins among the Tamils. However, the 'Devil Dancers' (exorcists, healers and sorcerers) were drawn from the tom-tom beating caste.

In the 19th century the Amarapura and Ramanna sects were formed to allow non-Govigama priests to be ordained, in opposition to the casteist Siam sect. In the late 1960s, there were a series of 'Temple Struggles' in the northern Jaffna district, during which members of lower castes forced their way into Hindu temples, establishing their right of entry.

List of Castes

Sinhalese system

• Govigama (Goyi-wansa) - Farmers
• Navandenna (Ridi or Achari) - Artisans (primarily silversmiths)
• Karava (Kevul) - Fishers
• Salagama (Hali) - Cinnamon peelers
• Durava - Toddy tappers
• Wahumpura (Hakuru) - Jaggery makers
• Bathgama (Padu) - Palanquin bearers
• Hannali - Tailors
• Pannikki - Barbers
• Hunu - Lime burners
• Berva - Tom-tom beaters
• Radha (Hena) - Dhobies, Washers
• Badahäla (Kumbal) - Potters
• Hinna - Washers to the Salagama
• Demala Gattara - 'Tamil Outcastes'
• Rodi - Outcastes

References

• Bryce Ryan, Caste in Modern Ceylon, Rutgers University Press, 1953.