Caste system in Kerala

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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).

Contents

[edit] The development

It is believed that after the fall of Chera empire in 12th century Namboothiris became influential as opposed to the Nairs and controlled the land.Now they were the Naduvazhis. The Vedic Namboothiris also introduced caste rules in the society. Initially Kerala comprised of separate Sanketams.These were primarily controlled by Brahmins and no one else but during the medieval period Sanketams were replaced by Rajyams which brought the Nairs into prominence. This caste, initially the tenants of Brahmins, became influential on its own and later became Naduvazhis. This temple centred Naduvazhi system was instrumental in the enforcement of caste rules.

[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 threw a stone or stick to her. Then she would be expelled from the caste and had to move with the "low caste" person or that particular person could claim her [1]. 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 [2]. 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 Nairs [3]. 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 [4]. The practice was abolished by the then Kerala Varma in 1696 [5] after which he had to face the ire of the royal servants (Pandarathu Kuruppus) [6].

[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 claimed Kshatriyahood, probably, with the help of Tulu Brahmins who migrated or invited to Kerala during medieval times.

[edit] Savarna Jatis (Classified Castes)

[edit] Avarna Jatis (Out-castes)

  • Villakkithala Nairs, Veluthedathu Nairs, Chakkala Nairs etc
  • Kamallans
  • Ezhavas
  • Pulayan
  • Kaniyan
  • Kuruman
  • Malayan
  • Mannan
  • Paniyan
  • Kadar
  • Parayan

[edit] Acceptance

The caste system had its legitimacy in the positive responses to many of its institutions by the non-Brahmins.

  • Many a rulers initiated themselves to Kshatriyahood.
  • Sambandams with Brahmins was generally held in high esteem.
  • It was also observed that community members who were respected in the society thought and preached to their fellow castemen, the respect for Brahmins, even when the fear of reprisals for any caste dessent had totally vanished from society (in the early 20th century). Such an overawed mentality was probably very common in previous centuries.

[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

Artisans (known as Kammalan 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 Southern ruler, voiced against the caste system incurring the wrath of his royal servants(Kurups).

[edit] Caste System among Muslims

Muslims in Kerala are categorized into what have been called castes, despite Islam's egalitarian tenets.

[edit] Caste System among Christians

Please help improve this article by expanding this section.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. Please remove this message once the section has been expanded.
This article has been tagged since February 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/a/s/Caste_system_in_Kerala_c046.html"