Nalavar
Encyclopedia
Nalavar also Nalava is a Sri Lankan Tamil
caste
of traditional agriculturalists and toddy tapers. But today they are found in all aspects of the society. They are part of a new amalgamation of castes in Jaffna
peninsula called as Panchamar or Fives. They are Ambatar or barbers, Vannar or washers, Nallavar, Pallar
and Parayar.
(see Koviar
). Some have assumed this to be due to indigenous development where as others have speculated that it is a Tamil social group that assumed independent identity in Sri Lanka. Those who assume an indigenous origin say that Nalavar are derived from a Sinhalese
social group speculated to be Nilavo that was left behind during the ascendancy of the Jaffna Kingdom
.
The caste NAADAAR in TAMIL NADU and the Nalavar in North Sri Lanka are very similar in many aspects mainly the toddy tapping, because of Nalavar majority in Jaffna town, and their bold behavior some how over come the caste issue.
region. They provided the bulk of the manual manpower required for cultivation and toddy tapping. There is anecdotal evidence that says they were held as bonded laborers if not as slaves by certain high caste families (see Vellalar
) up until the practice was abolished by the British
colonialists. They were not generally let into almost all main Hindu
temples of the peninsula and were subjected to apartheid like separation from the upper caste society in all aspects of living such as schooling, shopping and medical treatment.
such as the election of Sinhala
nationalistic but socialist oriented SLFP governments in Colombo
. Schools and small scale industries were built that enabled the community to breakthrough the cultural shackles that had held it down for centuries.
The advent of the civil war
since the Black July
pogrom has retarded most of these gains and has made the community improvised again. Many have sort to escape the depravations my seeking refugees’ status in Europe
and North America
and are merging with the host population or the Tamil diaspora
. Although lingering castist discrimination especially in marriages is still observed, in general they have been integrated as part of the migrant Tamil communities of all castes.
Sri Lanka Tamils (native)
Sri Lankan Tamil people , or Ceylon Tamils also known as Eelam Tamils in Tamil, are a section of Tamil people native to the South Asia island state of Sri Lanka. According to anthropological evidences and archaeological evidences, Sri Lankan Tamils have a very long history in Sri Lankan history and...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
of traditional agriculturalists and toddy tapers. But today they are found in all aspects of the society. They are part of a new amalgamation of castes in Jaffna
Jaffna
Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical...
peninsula called as Panchamar or Fives. They are Ambatar or barbers, Vannar or washers, Nallavar, Pallar
Pallar
The Pallar are a caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are mostly agriculturalists in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and amongst the Tamil diaspora...
and Parayar.
Origins
It is a unique caste as one of the Tamil castes that is not found in Tamil NaduTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
(see Koviar
Koviar
Koviar is a Sri Lankan Tamil caste of traditional agriculturalists and temple workers. Today they are found in all aspects of the society. In the Vellalar dominated caste hierarchy of the Jaffna peninsula they ranked higher due to their proximity to temples. There are number of competing theories...
). Some have assumed this to be due to indigenous development where as others have speculated that it is a Tamil social group that assumed independent identity in Sri Lanka. Those who assume an indigenous origin say that Nalavar are derived from a Sinhalese
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
social group speculated to be Nilavo that was left behind during the ascendancy of the Jaffna Kingdom
Jaffna Kingdom
The Jaffna kingdom , also known as Kingdom of Aryacakravarti, of modern northern Sri Lanka was a historic monarchy that came into existence around the town of Jaffna on the Jaffna peninsula after the invasion of Magha, who is said to have been from Kalinga, in India...
.
The caste NAADAAR in TAMIL NADU and the Nalavar in North Sri Lanka are very similar in many aspects mainly the toddy tapping, because of Nalavar majority in Jaffna town, and their bold behavior some how over come the caste issue.
Historic condition
As a historically depressed social group, they were restricted to Jaffna peninsula and certain areas of Putalam and eastern BatticaloaBatticaloa
Batticaloa is a city in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. It is the seat of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. It is on the east coast, south by south east of Trincomalee, and is situated on an island.-Etymology:...
region. They provided the bulk of the manual manpower required for cultivation and toddy tapping. There is anecdotal evidence that says they were held as bonded laborers if not as slaves by certain high caste families (see Vellalar
Vellalar
Vellalars were, originally, an elite caste of Tamil agricultural landlords in Tamil Nadu, Kerala states in India and in neighbouring Sri Lanka; they were the nobility, aristocracy of the ancient Tamil order and had close relations with the different royal dynasties...
) up until the practice was abolished by the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
colonialists. They were not generally let into almost all main Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temples of the peninsula and were subjected to apartheid like separation from the upper caste society in all aspects of living such as schooling, shopping and medical treatment.
Current condition
After Sri Lanka’s independence from Britain in 1948, Sri Lankan Tamil politics was geared towards a nationalistic cause that did not take into account the emancipation and progress of its castes. Thus the improvements in social indicators came about with the advent of progressive forces in ColomboColombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
such as the election of Sinhala
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
nationalistic but socialist oriented SLFP governments in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
. Schools and small scale industries were built that enabled the community to breakthrough the cultural shackles that had held it down for centuries.
The advent of the civil war
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
since the Black July
Black July
Black July is the commonly used name for the anti-Tamil pogrom and attacks carried out by mobs in Sri Lanka which began on July 23, 1983. The riots occurred following a deadly ambush by a Tamil militant organization known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam which killed 13 Sri Lanka Army soldiers...
pogrom has retarded most of these gains and has made the community improvised again. Many have sort to escape the depravations my seeking refugees’ status in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and are merging with the host population or the Tamil diaspora
Tamil diaspora
The Tamil diaspora is a demographic group of Tamil people of Indian or Sri Lankan origin who have settled in other parts of the world. Significant Tamil diaspora populations can be found in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Middle East, Réunion, South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Fiji, Guyana,...
. Although lingering castist discrimination especially in marriages is still observed, in general they have been integrated as part of the migrant Tamil communities of all castes.