|
Caste Discrimination In Sri Lanka
Social class in Sri Lanka is often described as casteless, though caste is still found on the island in both a symbolic and a practical sense. Caste is also used in an analogous sense to refer to the new social class divisions that have appeared in recent decades. The combination of ethnic nationalist movements that saw caste as an island-wide dividing tool, strong emphasis on providing access to education and healthcare regardless of background, and historic lack of discrimination among the colonial civil service played a factor in eradicating the caste system in most sectors of the island's society. Although the Buddhist culture actively fought against all forms of class discrimination, many Buddhist organizations used caste as a method to extract surplus from temple property. History Lanka Caste system Buddhism rejects casteism as a fundamental principle of its worldview, and this has an effect on reducing the severity of the caste system on the island. Notably, the high ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Egalitarianism
Egalitarianism (; also equalitarianism) is a school of thought within political philosophy that builds on the concept of social equality, prioritizing it for all people. Egalitarian doctrines are generally characterized by the idea that all humans are equal in fundamental worth or moral status. As such, all people should be accorded Equal rights before the law, equal rights and Equality before the law, treatment under the law. Egalitarian doctrines have supported many modern social movements, including the Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment, feminism, civil rights, and International human rights law, international human rights. Egalitarianism is the foundation of left-wing politics. One key aspect of egalitarianism is its emphasis on equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. This means ensuring that everyone has access to the same resources, education, and opportunities to succeed in life. By promoting equal opportunities, egalita ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bengalis
Bengalis ( ), also rendered as endonym and exonym, endonym Bangalee, are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the Bengal region of South Asia. The current population is divided between the sovereign country Bangladesh and the India, Indian regions of West Bengal, Tripura, Barak Valley of Assam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of Meghalaya, Manipur and Jharkhand. Most speak Bengali language, Bengali, a classical languages of India, classical language from the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language family. Bengalis are the List of contemporary ethnic groups, third-largest ethnic group in the world, after the Han Chinese and Arabs. They are the largest ethnic group within the Indo-European languages, Indo–European linguistic family and the largest ethnic group in South Asia. Apart from Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, Manipur, and Assam's Barak Valley, Bengali-majority popula ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Salagama
Salagama (also known as ''Saliya)'' is a Sinhalese people, Sinhalese caste found mostly in the southern coastal areas of Sri Lanka. The community was traditionally associated with the cultivation and management of cinnamon and were formerly also involved as weavers and soldiers. Etymology The Salagamas were also known as ''Saliya,'' also spelled ''Chaliya''. The name is presumably derived from Chaliyam, Chale of Kerala in southern India. History Origins The Salagamas trace their roots back to the Coromandel Coast and Malabar Coast of South India, and settled in the southern coastal areas of Sri Lanka. Their ancestors were a weaving community who were known as ''Saliya'' also known as ''Devanga'' Chettiar of South India. Some Salagamas also have the ''vasagama'' or surname "Nambudirige" meaning "of the Nambudiri", which Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere deems as a spurious attempt by the caste to elevate their status to that of the Nambudiri, Nambudiri Brahmins of Kerala (Due to caste ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Karava
Karava () is a Sinhalese speaking ethnic group of Sri Lanka, whose ancestors migrated throughout history from the Coromandel coast, claiming lineage to the Kaurava royalty of the old Kingdom of Kuru in Northern India. The Tamil equivalent is Karaiyar. Both groups are also known as the Kurukula (Kuru clan). The last mass migration to Sri Lanka happened in the 15th century from Tamil Nadu to fight against the Mukkuvar confederation as mentioned in the Mukkara Hatana. They have also given great importance to trade and commerce. The elite families are involved in entrepreneurial activities including the development of plantation agriculture such as coconut, tea and rubber. They also played a leading role in advocating constitutional reforms and socialism prior to independence as well as in the emergence of Sinhala Buddhist nationalism in post-independent Sri Lanka. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Durava
Durave or Durava or Durawa are a southern coastal Sinhalese caste in Sri Lanka. They are of South Indian Dravidian origin and started speaking Sinhala after reaching the coasts of Sri Lanka around 600 years ago. Current status Many were converted to Catholicism soon after the arrival of Portuguese colonials in 1505 CE. They along with other Southern Sinhalese castes such as Karave and Salagama have played an important role in the historically left political and right parties. They are mostly Theravada Buddhists today and were instrumental in the revival of Buddhism during the British colonial period. The un-Buddhistic practice of caste discrimination introduced into the Sangha by the Siyam Nikaya in the late 18th century has been overcome by patronising the Amarapura Nikaya and the Ramanna Nikayas. Sitinamaluwe Dhammajoti (Durawa) was the last nongovigama monk to receive upasampada before the 1764 conspiracy A conspiracy, also known as a plot, ploy, or scheme, is a secr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bodhivansha Caste
Bodhi Vamsa or Bodhahara is a caste in Sri Lanka. Originally, members were appointed as guardians of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree. History The caste traces its origin to the arrival of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Sri Lanka. Dipavamsa, the earliest document of the history of Sri Lanka, states that the following persons came to the island with or associated with Sri Mahabodhi. # Eight Kshatriya who were entrusted with protecting the Bodhi Tree # Bodhiguptha and Chandraguptha # Sixteen ''Lanka Mahalekhas'' (''Lambakarnas'') # Castes (or families) that received golden drums used for royal coronations (''Lambakarnas'') The Mahavamsa records state that during the reign of King Parakramabahu I, three '' lambakarnas'' (or mahalekha), were sent to southern India for a coronation festival. Accordingly, they are either descendants of Bodhiguptha, Chandragupta, eight kshatriyas or from the gotra lambakarnas. Mahavamsa itself contains a narrative of this incident which is less credible than Dip ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Deva People
The Deva are a mythical people of Sri Lanka according to the Sanskrit epics. According to the Mahavamsa and Ramayana they lived among the Naga, Yakkha and Raskha. They ousted their arch enemies the Raskha from Sri Lanka, with the help of Vishnu. They were then subsequently conquered by King Ravana of the Raskha. After the Yakkhas had left to live in the mountains and remote dense forests, they met Gautama Buddha who converted them to Buddhism. Deva were the first Indo Aryan migrants to Sri Lanka before Vijaya.W. L. Wijayawansa . (2009). Curbing the tribesmen . Available: http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/12/31/fea25.asp . Last accessed 17 March 2010.John M. Senaveratna (1997). The Story of the Sinhalese. Colombo: Asian Educational Services. According to the Mahavamsa, Gautama Buddha met the Deva at Mahiyangana. Buddha gave Sumana Saman (A leader of the Deva) a few hairs from his head, which were placed in a golden urn and enshrined in a sapphire stupa. A buddhist monk called Sara ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
