Table of Contents
How many types of Tamils are there in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lankan Tamils are categorised into three subgroups based on regional distribution, dialects, and culture: Negombo Tamils from the western part of the island, Eastern Tamils from the eastern part, and Jaffna or Northern Tamils from the north.
Does Sri Lanka have caste system?
Sri Lanka has three parallel caste systems for each of the country’s main population groups: the Sinhalese majority; the Sri Lankan Tamils to the north and east; and the Indian Tamils who are mainly found in the tea plantations and at the bottom of the urban social hierarchy.
Are there Tamil Brahmins in Sri Lanka?
Yes, there are Tamil brahmins in Sri Lanka most of them live in Northern part of Sri Lanka. They mostly belong to the Iyar division of brahmins. The most important and remarkable kings of Sri Lanka , most of the Aryachakravathis too belonged to the Iyar caste.
Which is lower caste in Tamilnadu?
Based on socio-economic hierarchy, the varna system can be classi- fied into three castes: upper (Brahmins), middle (Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras) and lower (Panchama).
Is Iyer higher caste?
This is in contrast to the Iyengar community, who are adherents of Sri Vaishnavism. The Iyers and the Iyengars are together referred to as Tamil Brahmins. The majority of Iyers reside in Tamil Nadu, India….
| Iyer | |
|---|---|
| Vadama Iyer priests | |
| Guru | Ādi Śaṅkarā |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Tamil, Sanskrit |
What is the caste structure of Sri Lankan Tamils?
The Coast Veddas, found mainly in Eastern Sri Lanka are considered a Tamil caste among the Sri Lankan Tamils. The village deities of the Sri Lankan Tamils are also shaped by the caste structure. The Sri Lankan Moors don’t practice the caste system, however follow a matriclan system which is an extension of Tamil tradition.
What is the caste of Sri Lankan Chetties?
The Sri Lankan Chetties, traditional merchants, along with the Bharatha people, traditional sea-traders, are listed as their own ethnicities in Sri Lankan census. The Coast Veddas, found mainly in Eastern Sri Lanka are considered a Tamil caste among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Do Sri Lankan Moors practice the caste system?
The Sri Lankan Moors don’t practice the caste system, however follow a matriclan system which is an extension of Tamil tradition. The Tolkāppiyam Porulatikaram indicating the four-fold division is the earliest Tamil literature to mention caste.
What is the importance of Kudimakkal castes in Sri Lanka?
The Kudimakkal gave ritual importance in marriage, funeral and other temple ceremonies. Other Sri Lankan Tamil castes of importance are the Cantar (oil-presser), Iyer (priests), Madapalli (former royal cooks), Seerpadar (cultivators), Seniyar (cotton-weavers), Siviyar (royal palanquin bearers) and Maravar (mercenaries).