Demalagattara are a social group or caste amongst the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. Demalagattara are Theravada Buddhists by religion. They are ethnically Sinhalese but proclaim their Tamil ethnic origins, whereas all other South India-derived castes such as Karave, Salagama, Durave and Berava do not emphasise their Tamil links as part of their assimilation into Sinhalese society.
As the mainstream Sinhalese speakers claim North Indian ethnic origins the presence of many South Indian type Jatis like the Demalagatara indicate a complex migration history from India to Sri Lanka. Demalagatara do not indicate any tribal origins like the other, formerly untouchable, caste of Rodiyas. Their place in the caste structure is related to a primary function associated with formerly martial origins. They were classed as a sub-caste of the Govigama during the British period. Many are agriculturalists and workers throughout the country.
South Indian rootsedit
Some anthropologists believe that the early society of Sri Lanka has looked to neighboring South India for manpower to fulfill functional needs as land was cleared and many new villages found. Demalagatara are believed to be descended from Maravar or Kallar like martial castes of South India who also play an important role as mercenaries medieval Sinhalese kingdoms. Similar caste exist in Kerala as Tamil padai nayar has roots from Maravar caste of Tamil Nadu.
Etymology of Demalagattaraedit
‘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’.
Origin mythsedit
The community says that they descended from soldiers who accompanied a 2nd-century BCE Tamil Chola King named as Ellara. But in reality the story is partly true, they are South Indian soldiers who got to settle down due royal grants but the actual time and the king(s) who granted them these privileges happened much later than indicated by their origin myth. Research on origins was carried out during the BritishColonial period and is dated. (See Caste in Sri Lanka)
Referencesedit
Bryce Ryan, Caste in Modern Ceylon, Rutgers University Press, 1953.
May 03, 2024
demala, gattara, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, factual, accuracy, disputed, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, help, ensu. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article s factual accuracy is disputed Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help to ensure that disputed statements are reliably sourced March 2011 Learn how and when to remove this message This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed March 2011 Learn how and when to remove this message This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2013 Learn how and when to remove this message This article possibly contains unsourced predictions speculative material or accounts of events that might not occur Information must be verifiable and based on reliable published sources Please help improve it by removing unsourced speculative content March 20113 Learn how and when to remove this message Learn how and when to remove this message Demalagattara are a social group or caste amongst the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka Demalagattara are Theravada Buddhists by religion They are ethnically Sinhalese but proclaim their Tamil ethnic origins whereas all other South India derived castes such as Karave Salagama Durave and Berava do not emphasise their Tamil links as part of their assimilation into Sinhalese society Contents 1 Origins 2 South Indian roots 3 Etymology of Demalagattara 4 Origin myths 5 ReferencesOrigins editAs the mainstream Sinhalese speakers claim North Indian ethnic origins the presence of many South Indian type Jatis like the Demalagatara indicate a complex migration history from India to Sri Lanka Demalagatara do not indicate any tribal origins like the other formerly untouchable caste of Rodiyas Their place in the caste structure is related to a primary function associated with formerly martial origins They were classed as a sub caste of the Govigama during the British period Many are agriculturalists and workers throughout the country South Indian roots editSome anthropologists believe that the early society of Sri Lanka has looked to neighboring South India for manpower to fulfill functional needs as land was cleared and many new villages found Demalagatara are believed to be descended from Maravar or Kallar like martial castes of South India who also play an important role as mercenaries medieval Sinhalese kingdoms Similar caste exist in Kerala as Tamil padai nayar has roots from Maravar caste of Tamil Nadu Etymology of Demalagattara edit 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 Origin myths editThe community says that they descended from soldiers who accompanied a 2nd century BCE Tamil Chola King named as Ellara But in reality the story is partly true they are South Indian soldiers who got to settle down due royal grants but the actual time and the king s who granted them these privileges happened much later than indicated by their origin myth Research on origins was carried out during the British Colonial period and is dated See Caste in Sri Lanka References editBryce Ryan Caste in Modern Ceylon Rutgers University Press 1953 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Demala Gattara amp oldid 1195272864, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
