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Nalavar

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Nalavar (Template:Lang-ta) is a Tamil caste found in Sri Lanka. They were traditionally occupied in palm tree climbing and toddy tapping.[1]

Etymology

According to a folk etymology is the name Nalavar a corrupted form of Naluvinavar (those who decamped), which they gained after withdrawing from a battle field.[2] Another theory suggest the name is derived from Nalua meaning to climb, in reference to their traditional occupation.[3]

It has also been proposed that the name is derived from Naravar (from Naravu, ancient Tamil term for toddy).[4]

History

According to Yalpana Vaipava Malai were the Nalavars originally called Nambis who originally Vanniar chieftains and served as bowmen.[5] The Nambis after withdrawing from a battle, made a living by being hired by the Shanar (caste of palm tree climbers, locally known as Shandrar) and took up the Shanars hereditary occupation as toddy tappers.[2] Through marriage alliances between the Nambis and Shanars, evolved the Nalavar identity.[6][7] A former subdivision among them were known as Kottai Vayil Nalavar i.e. "Nalavars in service of the fort".[4]

Under the Dutch Ceylon was the Thesavalamai law codified.[8] This law allowed landlords to have slaves, and the Nalavars were also employed as agriculture labors, and were classified along with the Koviar and Pallar under the term Adimai (slave).[9][10]

Customs

The badge and cattle brand mark of the Nalavars is the bow and arrow.[11] The Nalavar along with the Pallar worship Annamar, their caste deity.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ McGilvray, Dennis B. (1974). Tamils and Moors: caste and matriclan structure in eastern Sri Lanka. University of Chicago. p. 176.
  2. ^ a b Pillay, Kolappa Pillay Kanakasabhapathi (1963). South India and Ceylon. University of Madras. p. 161.
  3. ^ Tambiah, Henry Wijayakone (2001). The Laws and Customs of the Tamils of Jaffna. Women's Education & Research Centre. p. 77. ISBN 9789559261162.
  4. ^ a b Ph.D. Ragupathy, Ponnampalam (1987). Early Settlements in Jaffna: An Archaeological Survey. University of Jaffna: Thillimalar Ragupathy. p. 210.
  5. ^ Pulavar, Mātakal Mayilvākan̲ap (1999). The Yalpana-vaipava-malai, Or, The History of the Kingdom of Jaffna. Asian Educational Services. p. 34. ISBN 9788120613621.
  6. ^ Arasaratnam, Sinnappah (1996-01-01). Ceylon and the Dutch, 1600-1800: External Influences and Internal Change in Early Modern Sri Lanka. n Variorum. p. 381. ISBN 9780860785798.
  7. ^ David, Kenneth (1977-01-01). The New Wind: Changing Identities in South Asia. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 190–191. ISBN 9783110807752.
  8. ^ University of Ceylon Review. University of Ceylon. 1952. p. 34.
  9. ^ M. D. Raghavan & Tamil culture in Ceylon, p. 109.
  10. ^ Wilson, A. Jeyaratnam (2000). Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism: Its Origins and Development in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Hurst. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-85065-519-0.
  11. ^ Raghavan, M. D. (1971). Tamil culture in Ceylon: a general introduction. Kalai Nilayam. p. 179.
  12. ^ Pfaffenberger, Bryan (1977). Pilgrimage and Traditional Authority in Tamil Sri Lanka. University of California, Berkeley. p. 136.
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