Talk:Caste system in Sri Lanka
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I'm not a member of any particular party here, just an armchair visitor of Sri Lanka through Wikipedia, a user trying to learn something about Sri Lankan society. I'm Puerto Rican and caste means something so different in my society that I realize I have to learn more about caste in Sri Lanka to understand about the society. I am really the target audience for this article. I find that this article assumes a lot of previous knowledge. For instance, please explain what the difference from northern system is, not just that it is different and has more similarities to the southern system. When I go to the articles on these systems to better understand, I get the impression that northern is based on varna more while southern is based more on jati. Moreover it appears to me that jati and varna systems are integrated into one system in the referred-to articles, with varna a broader grouping and jati as subgroups within a particular varna So what's the difference in Sri Lanka? I do now know that there was once a Tamil system and a Sinhala system, as well as "Adi" groups like the Rodiyah and the Vedda. But over time, there has been some restructuring. Also, I think there is too much detail and not enough main point. I cannot see the forest for all the trees.--Upstatepolyglot (talk) 11:27, 16 December 2007 (UTC)
[edit] To say that the Govi Caste was traditionally the highest caste, it held land and that all other caste were low castes is totally incorrect, contrary to history and a mere repetition of Govi propaganda
The Wikipedia entry states that the Govi Caste was traditionally the highest caste, it held land and that all other caste were low castes. That is totally incorrect, contrary to history and a mere repetition of Govi propaganda
The following few selected quotations from the mass of such references in Sri Lanka’s historical literature prove beyond any doubt that the Govi caste was definitely not the highest caste in our culture. The following few selected quotations from the mass of such references in Sri Lanka’s historical literature prove beyond any doubt that the Govi caste was definitely not the highest caste in our culture:
Ancient texts such as the Pujavaliya, Sadharmaratnavaliya and Yogaratnakaraya list the four caste groups as Raja, Bamunu, Velanda & Govi in descending order, where the Govi caste is the lowest. The Pújavaliya also says that Buddhas will never be born in the Govi caste as it is a low caste. The 10th century Dampiyaatuvagetapadaya and the 12th century Darmapradeepikava go even further and state that the Govi caste is a ‘Neecha’ castes (Dampiyaatuvagetapadaya D. B. Jayathilaka edition, 1933, pg 217. Darmapradeepikava Sri Dharmarama edition, 1951, pg 190)
Other ancient texts such as the Gavaratnakaraya and Sarpothpaththiya (Sarpavedakama Col. Museum publication, 1956, pgs vi, 5 & 123) respectively classify even cattle and snakes as Raja, Bamunu, Velanda & Govi, where Govi is the last. Ballads sung to date at ancient Gammmaduva rituals also refer to the above four castes in the same sequence and describes the limits of their privileges (Gammaduwa, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, page 13).
Although Govigama writers have attempted to dismiss the above as a mere classical division unconnected with realities, the repetition of the same caste hierarchy in the British/Kandyan period Kadayimpoth (Kadaim Poth Vimarshanaya, H. A. P. Abhayawardena, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, pages 163 – 168) as well, indicates the continuation of the tradition up to the end of our monarchy, and well after the arrival of the Portuguese.
The term Govi is used throughout as an insult in the Ummagga Játhaka (Ummagga Játhakaya, Educational Pub. Dept, 1978 edition) written in the 15th century, Kurunégala period. The astrology text Mánasagari (Sloka 2201, page 596) says that a debilitated moon in the horoscope destines a man to be a cultivator.
The Goviyas are referred to in uncomplimentary terms such as Kudin(Epigraphia Zeylanica (EZ) V pg 293, EZ I, pgs 246, 53 fn 7 etc.) and Väriyan (EZ III pages 139, 141 etc. ) in ancient SriLankan inscriptions and as Bälayan, Galayan, Valayan, Gonvayan and Gatara in literature (Kadaim Poth Vimarshanaya, pages 167 & 217. Dambadeni Asna saha Kandavuru Siritha, page 91).
In Sri Lanka’s past, cultivators or Goviyas were chattels (EZ II pgs 140 & 142. Ancient Land Tenure, Codrington, pg 34). The low esteem in which the goviyas were held is illustrated by inscriptions such as the 10th century Kataragama pillar inscription (EZ III page 223), 14th century Niyamgampaya inscription (Sahithyaya, Department of Cultural Affairs, 1972, page 130) and 15th century Saman Devala Sannasa (Ancient Land Tenure, Codrington, page 27) which groups the Govis together with buffaloes and pack bulls.
The North Gate inscription in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa depicts the Govi Kula in its comparative rhetoric as the lowest extreme (EZ II, page 164). The same concept of low status is echoed in the 13th century Dambadeni Asna (Dambadeni Asna saha Kandavuru Siritha, page 135) and the 15th century Parevi Sandésa(Parevi Sandeshaya, Kumaratunga Munidasa Ed.1958, verse 188) as well.
Therefore an unbiased look at historical evidence confirms beyond doubt the low status of the Govi caste in the Sri Lanka’s feudal system and its rise under colonial rule. However under colonial rule and democracy in Sri Lanka, Govigama writers have rewritten history to suit their newly acquired status.
[edit] Vandalism by the promoter of The Govigama Supremacy Myth
I think it is important to document the chronology of the current vandalism on the Caste in Sri lanka page.
In early September a user added fully referenced historical information on the Sri Lankan Caste system, particularly on the true status of the Govigama caste in Sri lanka’s history. A few days later, despite the references in the contribution, User:RaveenS deleted this information stating that it is unreferenced. These historical facts that RaveenS didn’t want Wikipedia readers to see, have since been repeatedly vandalised by other pseudonym logins from Canada.
Although the Govi and the Vellala were two distinct and unconnected communities in Sri Lanka’s history, politically ambitious individuals from both communities attempted to equate and link the two in the 19th century. As such the ‘Govi Supremacy Myth’ and the ‘Vellala Supremacy Myth’ are inextricably dependent on each other for their sustenance. The Govi Supremacy Theory was debunked in Sri lanka over a decade ago. And, except for Vellala propaganda dating from the 19th century, there doesn’t appear to be any historical evidence as such to support the Vellala Supremacy Theory either.
The depths to which individuals descend and even sacrifice their personal integrity to promote the ‘Govi Supremacy Myth’ continues to surprise me. It is mostly done through intimidation, repetition or stealth. Never have I seen any evidence from such promoters to support their 'Govi Supremacy Myth'. If they have any evidence at all to prove that the Govi caste was not a low caste in the Sri lankan feudal system, they should include it here for the benefit of our users. If there is no evidence to support the Govi Supremacy Theory, the promoter of the theory should withdraw it and desist from further vandalism of this page. 10:14, 27 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Page vandalised again
Vandals have attacked the main page Caste in Sri lanka again ( on 30 September 2006 by user [[1]] ) and once again deleted the information they wish to supress. As usual, no verifiable references to contradict the information under attack are offered. Therefore it has to be assumed that the Vandal has no evidence to the contrary and is desperately attempting to push the ‘Govi Supremacy’ point of view through intimidation. --Veri 22:16, 30 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Reply from User [2]
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- There is no evidence that the so called four fold division of society as aspired by the cited material (all local and not credible [citation needed] and picked for a biased reason[citation needed]) ever existed in Sri Lanka. It only existed in North India [citation needed]. The socalled Karave mainly south Indian fishers and sometimes mercenaries are not Kshatriyas {{Fact}} inspite of self asertion. Do not denigrated others to bring up some others. This is Wikipedia and truth prevails. All latest anthropological reviews [citation needed] of Sri Lankan society is in agreement [citation needed] that the Govi are a dominant group of people throughout the Sinhalese hinterland. Karavae are immigrants attempting to gain prestige [citation needed]and position [citation needed] via all methods available [citation needed]. Don’t use Wikipedia for such a sociological changes, this is not a forum for you propaganda. Keep that to websites and local newspapers. Thanks Bandara2000 21:24, 5 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Warning
Welcome to Wikipedia. We invite everyone to contribute constructively to our encyclopedia. Take a look at the welcome page if you would like to learn more about contributing. However, unconstructive edits are considered vandalism, and if you continue in this manner you may be blocked from editing without further warning. Please stop, and consider improving rather than damaging the work of others. Thank you.
--Veri 13:42, 10 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Incorect use?
on the version [4] respectively classify even Sri Lankan cattle and snakes into the four caste categories as Raja, Bamunu, Velanda & Govi, where again the Govi is the lowest form.
Raja = King Bamunu = Brahmana Velanda = Merchants Govi = Farmers
are they cattle and snakes? incorrect use of reference —Preceding unsigned comment added by NavodEranda (talk • contribs) 12:35, 10 January 2008 (UTC)
