Caste system in Kerala
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The region of Kerala in India became the caste society very late. One of the last south Indian societies to become agrarian, the communities kept most of their tribal markers intact bringing them to mainstream. These traditional matrilineal communities became endogamous units based on their occupations during medieval period (12th to 15th century).
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[edit] The development
The present caste system and Malayalam language itself comes around 1000-1200 years ago. The present day Keralam before that period was a part of "Thamizakam" and the language was "Chenthamiz", during "Sankakalam" and later Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas were the three prominent rulers of "Thamizakam". "Muziris" was the most important city of "Cherakkam". Uzavar, Panner, Parayar, Parathar (fishermen), Kurumber were the main castes of that time, and the Cheras were the ruling class and they worshipped Nagas[citation needed], Amma (Devi, Amman) deities they were followers of Shaktheya Shivasim based on Tantrics. The majority people were Uzavas (farmers) and Paravans (fishermen) who followed Buddha dharma (Buddhism)came through Eelam (Sri Lanka)[citation needed]. A later majority of Uzavas stayed as Ezhavas/Thiyyas (people from Ezham, "deep") and a significant portion of Paravans became Christans and Muslims. Jainism came through Mysore and Karnataka, and there were a number of Jains in Kerala. Muziris, Maduri, Panthalayanikollam, Vizinjam and such cities and costal areas had Roman[citation needed], Jewish, Arab, Chinese[citation needed] settlements, thus the Semitic religions came to India, and there were also a few Aryans (Brahmins) also settled in these cities but at that time they were neither influential nor had any significant presence in society[citation needed].
Brahmin settlement started at a much later stage around AD 7-10 centuries. They came to Kerala from Tulunadu under Kadamba Raja Mayurasharma's directions and settled in 32 gramams (villages).
Then came 100 years of war between the Cheras and the Cholas, and at first the Cheras lost heavily and Chera power started to vanish, and this time with the help of Nairs cheras formed "Chavers" (suicide squads) and finally were the Cholas defeated. During this time the social system started to change, with Brahmins elevating their position in society. The Cheras lost many men in the battlefield and Chera women started to have Brahmin partners, the matriarchal system started, these Brahmins received local customs and imposed their vedic and knowledge and became Namputhiris, their children's and relatives from the Cheras became Nairs, and Adi Sankara established Brahmin supremacy among other ideologies especially among Buddha dharma (Buddhism), and the Namputhries (Namboothiris) accepted and integrated so many local beliefs and rituals such as Chera king of ancient time "Well kezu kettavan" myth became the Parasurama myth etc. The story of Brahmins converts to Christianity came much later stage, though this is heavily doubted by historians, the "Ramban Pattu" and such type of other stories are using Malayalam language called "Vattezuthu ", and these type of dialects used in 15- 18 th centuries. But one thing that is sure is that during AD 1 st centuries itself there were Christians in Kerala, St. Thomas converts and some Jews who settled before them and the locals (Uzavas, Paravas etc.) an probably some converts from Buddhist and Jain priests. In history you can see that people from lower castes have a tradition to imitate the upper castes[citation needed], such as the Ezhava/Thiyya adoption of matrilinearism and Naga worship in Malabar from the Nairs.
[edit] Features
[edit] Mannappedi/Pulappedi
Mannappedi or Pulappedi was a custom which existed until 17th century. An upper caste woman could lose her caste if any male from the castes like Pulayan, Parayan or Mannan happened to see her or touch her by any means. Then she would be expelled from the caste or had to move with the "low caste" person or will be under discretion of the elders to decide. This would apply especially on the night of a specific day that fell in the month of Karkatakam (roughly corresponding to the dates 15 July to 15 August) in the Gregorian calendar [1]. Given the social and economic status of lower caste people of that era, it is believed that this practice could not be perpetuated without social sanction, and definitely not without the connivance and/or tacit support of the men of upper castes. Thus, the men folk used this in the garb of a custom to stifle the freedom or rights of women belonging to upper castes such as the Nairs [2]. Another view of the practice is that it was a route provided by tradition to the oppressed Pulayan class for registering their intentions of revenge as a symbolic act [3]. The practice was abolished by the then Kerala Varma in 1696 [1] after which he had to face the ire of the royal servants (Pandarathu Kuruppus) [2].
[edit] The classification of castes
In old Kerala society the castes were classified as Brahmins, Shudras and Panchamas. However, for practical purposes, sections of Shudras were declared Savarna and all other Shudras and Panchamas were declared Avarna. Even non-Hindus were considered Panchama in old days. Many native rulers, most of whom were Nairs, were inducted into Kshatriyahood (Malayala Kshatriyas), with the help of Tulu Brahmins who migrated or were invited to Kerala during medieval times.
[edit] Savarna
The following castes were the upper castes of Kerala who were permitted temple entry (clean caste status):
- Brahmins
- Namboodiris
- Pohttys
- Non Malayali Brahmins
- Nairs
- Malayala Kshatriyas
- Ambalavasis
[edit] Avarna
I. Throughout the State
1. Agas 2. Ambalakkaran 3. Anglo Indian 4. Aremahrati 5. Arya 6. Bandari 7. Billava 8. Chakkala 9. Chavalakkaran 10. Chetties (Kottar Chetties, Parakka Chetties, Elur Chetties, Attingal Chetties, Pudukkada Chetties, Iraniel Chetties, Sri Pandara Chetties, Telugu Chetties, Udayamkulangara Chetties, Peroorkada Chetties, Sadhu Chetties, 24 Manai Chetties, Wayanadan Chetties and Kalavara Chetties). 11. Devadiga 12. Devanga 13. Dheevara (Arayan, Valan, Nulayyan, Mukkuvan, Arayavathi, Valinjiar, Paniakkal, Mukaya, Bovi Mukayar and Mukuveeran). 14. Ezhava and Thiyya 15. Ezhuvathi 16. Ezhuthachan 17. Ganika 18. Gatti. 19. Gowda 20. Hegda 21. Izhuvan (Illuvan, Ezhuvan) 22. Jogi 23. Kadupattan 24. Kaikolan 25. Kelasi (Kalasi Panicker) 26. Kalarikurup or Kalari Panicker 27. Viswakarmas including Asari Chaptegra, Kallasary, Kalthachan, Kammala, Kamsala, Kannan, Kuruvan, Kitaran, Kollan, Malayala Kammala, Moosari, Pandikammala, Pandithattan, Perumkollan, Thachan, Thattan, Vilkurup, Villasan, Viswabrahmanan or Viswabrahmanar and Viswakarmala. 28. Kannadiyans 29. Kanisu or Kaniyar Panicker, Kani or Kaniyan (Ganaka) or Kanisan or Kamman 30. Kavuthiyan 31. Kavidiyaru 32. Koteyar 33. Krishnanvaka 34. Kerala Mudalis 35. Kudumbis 36. Kusavan (Kulala, Kulala Nair, Andhra Nair or Anthguru Nair). 37. Kumbarans 38. Latin Catholics 39. Madivala 40. Mappila 41. Maravans 42. Maruthuvar 43. Muslim 44. Nadars (Hindu Nadars and Nadar included S.I.U.C.) 45. Naikkans 46. Odans 47. Scheduled Caste Converted to Christianity 48. Pandithars 49. Panniyar 50. Pattariyas 51. Peruvannan (Varanavar) 52. Pulluvan 53. Rajapur 54. Chakravar, Sakravar (Kavathi) 55. Sourashtras 56. Saliyas 57. Senai Thalavar (Elavaniar) 58. S.I.U.C. (Excluding Nadars specified to item 44) 59. Thachar 60. Tholkollan 61. Thottan 62. Vaduvans, Vadugans, Vadukkars and Vadukes (Vadukans) 63. Velaans (Velaan, Velaar) 64. Vanian (Vanika, Vanika Vaisya, Vanibha Chetty, Vaniya Chetty, Ayiravar, Nagarthar and Vaniyan) 65. Vaniar 66. Vekkalinga 67. Veerasavias (Yogis and Yogeeswara) 68. Yadavas (Kolaya, Ayar, Mayar, Maniyani and Iruman)
II. In Malabar District
1. Boyan 2. Ganjan Reddis 3. Visanavan
III. Throughout the State except Malabar District
1. Kammara 2. Malayan 3. Malayekandi 4. Reddiars
IV. Throughout the State except Kasargod Taluk, Malabar District
1. Marati
[edit] Scheduled Casts/Schedules Tribes (SC/ST)
Scheduled Castes
1. Adi Andra 2.Adi Dravida 3.Adi Karnataka 4.Ajila 5.Aruthathiyar 6.Ayyanavar 7.Bairava8.Bakuda9.Bandi 10. Bathada 11.Bellara 12. Baratar 13. Boyan 14.Chakkiliyan 15.Chamar, Muchi 16.Chandala 17.Cheruman 18.Domban 19.Gavara 20.Godagal 21.Godda 22.Gosangi 23.Hosla 24.Holeya 25.Kadaiyan 26.Kakkalan 27.Kalladi 28.Kanakkan, Padanna 29.Karimpalan 30.Kavara 31.Koosa 32.Kootan,Kodan 33.Kudumban 34.Kuravan, Sidhanar 35.Maila 36.Malayan 37.Mannan 38.Mavilan 39.Moger 40.Mundala 41.Nalakeyava 42. Nalkadaya 43.Nayadi 44.Padannan 45. Pallan 46. Palluvan 47. Pambada 48. Panan 49. Panchama 50. Paraiyan, Parayan, Sambavar 51. Paravan 52. Pathiyan 53. Perumannan 54. Pulayan, Cherumar 55. Pulaya Vettuvan 56. Puthirai Vannan 57. Reneyar 58.amagara 59. Samban 60. Semman 61. Thandan 62. Thoti 63. Vallan 64. Valluvan 65. Vanan 66. Velan 67. Vetan 68. Vettuvan
Scheduled Tribes
1. Adiyan 2. Arandan 3. Eravalan 4. Hill Pulayan 5. Erular, Irulan 6. Kadar 7. Kammara 8. Kanika 9. Kuttunayakan 10. Kochuvelan 11. Kondakapus 12. Konda Reddis 13. Koraga 14. Kota 15. Kudiya, Medakudi 16. Kurichchan 17. Kurumans 18. Kurumbas 19. Mahamalasar 20. Malai Arayan 21. Malai Pandaram 22. Malai Vedan 23. Malakkuravan 24. Malasar 25. Malayan 26. Malayarayar 27. Mannan 28. Marati 29. Muthuvan, Mudugar, Muduvan 30. Palleyan 31. Pelliyan 32. Palliayar 33. Paniyan 34. Ulladan 35. Urali
[edit] Acceptance
The caste system had its legitimacy in the positive responses to many of its institutions by the non-Brahmins.
- Sambandams with Brahmins was generally held in high esteem.
[edit] Opposition
The opposition to caste system took various forms. While some castes refused the position of their community or refused to accept higher position of other community. In other cases, many individuals completely disagreed with caste divisions.
[edit] Religious symbols
The most abused castes (now known as scheduled castes) showed their opposition to the system by creating and worshipping new spirits for the persons who suffered due to caste atrocities in north Malabar.
[edit] Artisans ( Vishwakarma / Vishwabrahmin )
Artisans (known as Kammalan / Vishwakarma / Vishwabrahmin in Kerala), in all south India, paradoxically, fought for a higher position in the caste system. According to John Fryer, who vistited India in 1670, the members of Kammalan caste held themselves equal to Brahmins and disputed the higher position of Brahmins. The weavers and goldsmiths in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh created their own priest systems.
[edit] Social reformers
Ayyankali, Chattampi Swamikal and Sri Narayana Guru were few social reformes who fought against the inhuman and disgraceful practices that their respective communities subjected to.
[edit] Rulers
Kerala Varma, a Raja from the Kochi royal family, voiced against the caste system incurring the wrath of his generals (Kurups).
[edit] Caste System among Muslims
Muslims in Kerala, the Moplah, are categorized into what have been called castes.
[edit] Caste System among Christians
Christians in Kerala are not categorized into what have been called castes.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Caste and Race in India, by G.S. Ghurye
- Medieval Kerala
