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The caste systems of Sri Lanka were historically not tied to the religious establishment but rather a tool to service the ruling elite - a model more reminiscent of feudalism in Europe. At least three major, parallel caste systems exist in Sri Lankan society: Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Tamils. [1]
The history of the caste system in Sri Lanka is unclear since there is very little historical evidence and much research carried out into the subject has been criticized as being biased. [2] Caste positions did not correlate with wealth. [3] Goyigama was the most common caste in the Sinhalese community numbering around 50%.
As the mainstream Sinhalese speakers claim North Indian ethnic origins, the presence of many South Indian-type social groups like the Kinnaraya indicate a complex migration history from India to Sri Lanka.
[10] [11] The Chetties of Northern Sri Lanka especially in Jaffna were mainly absorbed by the Vellalar caste, although, some still remain separate. [5] A high number of Chetties still live in Nallur, which is known for the inhabitation of high castes, whereas even a road is commemorated for them. [12]
Sinhalese castes (20 P) Sri Lankan Tamil castes (21 P) Pages in category "Caste system in Sri Lanka" The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.
Berava are a social group or caste amongst the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka.Like the Paraiyar of the neighboring Tamil ethnic group in Sri Lanka as well as Tamil Nadu state in South India, they were segregated from the mainstream society, yet played and still play an important and vital role in the religious rituals of the mainstream community.
The oldest Buddhist sect in Sri Lanka, the Siam Nikaya (established on 19 July 1753) are the custodians of the Tooth Relic, since its establishment during the Kandyan Kingdom. The Siam Nikaya uses caste-based divisions, and as of 1764 grants higher ordination only to the Govigama caste, excluding other castes from its numbers, [ 25 ...
‘Demala’ is the Sinhala word for Tamil and ‘Gattara’ is the word used in ancient Sri Lankan rock inscriptions and literature to refer to serfs. Thus Demalagattara translates into English as ‘Tamil serfs’. ‘Agricultural serfs’ were part of the feudal land tenure system of Sri Lanka. There were also ‘domestic serfs’.