The Tamils of the North are very fastidious in the matter of where, and with whom, they eat. The community in Jaffna is in general split up into several classes, clans or castes. A man of one caste naturally feels a reluctance to eat in the house of another man of a different caste. Among the respectable classes, among families that are raised by position, wealth and influence, the feeling is stronger still. Indeed they positively abstain from all such social inter-dining. Late governor Sir R. Chalmers observe that, in Jaffna, family pride and family dignity were raised to the level of a religion. Even at the present day, after more than a century of English education and Christian civilization - two great and powerful solvents of caste - these notions and prejudices are as strong as ever.
The caste system of the Tamils
is more closely tied to religious bases than the caste system of the
Sinhalese. Caste among the Sri Lankan Tamils derives from the
Brahman-dominated system of southern India. The Brahmans, a priestly caste,
trace their origins to the dawn of Indian civilization (ca. 1500 B.C.), and
occupy positions of the highest respect and purity because they typically
preserve sacred texts and enact sacred rituals. Many conservative Brahmans
view the caste system and their high position within it as divinely ordained
human institutions (see Hinduism , this ch.). Because they control avenues
to salvation by officiating at temples and performing rituals in homes,
their viewpoint has a large following among traditionally minded Hindus. The
standards of purity set forth by the Brahmanical view are so high that some
caste groups, such as the Paraiyar (whose name came into English as
"pariah"), have been "untouchable," barred from participation in the social
functions or religious rituals of other Hindus. Untouchability also has been
an excuse for extreme exploitation of lower-caste workers.
Although Brahmans in Sri Lanka have always been a very small minority, the
conservative Brahmanical world-view has remained strong among the Vellala
and other high castes. Major changes have occurred, however, in the
twentieth century. Ideas of equality among all people, officially promoted
by the government, have combined with higher levels of education among the
Tamil elites to soften the old prejudices against the lowest castes.
Organizations of low-caste workers have engaged in successful militant
struggles to open up employment, education, and Hindu temples for all
groups, including former untouchables.
The Indian Tamils are predominantly members of low castes from southern
India, whose traditional occupations were agricultural labor and service for
middle and high castes. Their low ritual status has reinforced their
isolation from the Sinhalese and from the Sri Lankan Tamils.
[ Home || Forum || Tsunami || Ethnic Conflict || Heritage || History || Archeology || Food || Travel || People ]