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Caste System In Sri Lanka
The caste systems in Sri Lanka are social stratification systems found among the ethnic groups of the island since ancient times. The models are similar to those found in Continental India, but are less extensive and important for various reasons, although the caste systems still play an important and at least symbolic role in religion and politics. Sri Lanka is often considered to be a casteless or caste-blind society by Indians. The caste systems of Sri Lanka were historically not tied to the religious establishment but rather a tool to service the ruling elite - a model more reminiscent of feudalism in Europe. At least three major, parallel caste systems exist in Sri Lankan society: ''Sinhalese'', ''Sri Lankan Tamil'' and ''Indian Tamils''''.'' A universal welfare system that focused on providing education for everyone regardless of background has provided people from lower caste groups similar opportunities to enter jobs previously only frequented by those in upper-caste gro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sinhalese People
Sinhalese people ( si, සිංහල ජනතාව, Sinhala Janathāva) are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group native to the island of Sri Lanka. They were historically known as Hela people ( si, හෙළ). They constitute about 75% of the Sri Lankan population and number more than 16.2 million. The Sinhalese identity is based on language, cultural heritage and nationality. The Sinhalese people speak Sinhala, an insular Indo-Aryan language, and are predominantly Theravada Buddhists, although a minority of Sinhalese follow branches of Christianity and other religions. Since 1815, they were broadly divided into two respective groups: The 'Up-country Sinhalese' in the central mountainous regions, and the 'Low-country Sinhalese' in the coastal regions; although both groups speak the same language, they are distinguished as they observe different cultural customs. According to the Mahavamsa and the Dipavamsa, a third–fifth century treatise written in Pali by ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kammalar (caste)
The Kammalar (கம்மாளர்) is a Tamil caste group found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in northeastern part of Sri Lanka. The Kammalars are involved in crafting. ''Kammalar'' is a generic term that comprises the communities of Kannar (brass-workers), Kollar (blacksmiths), Tarar (goldsmiths), Tatchar (carpenters) and Kartatchar (sculptors). kammalar's are classified and listed as backward class by both central government of India and State government of Tamil NadThey worship various forms of this deity. Etymology The word Kammalar is derived from the Tamil language, Tamil word ''Kam'' meaning "art" or "operation". The Kammalar finds mention in ancient Sangam literature, mentioning them by the name ''Kammiyar.'' Their name is said to be derived from the phrase "one who gives the eyes", referring to their providing the eyes for statues of deities. Synonyms Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka In Tamil Nadu, Tamil Achari is known as ''Tamil Kammalars''. They are g ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drummer
A drummer is a percussionist who creates music using drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...s. Most contemporary western bands that play Rock music, rock, Pop music, pop, jazz, or R&B music include a drummer for purposes including timekeeping and embellishing the musical timbre. The drummer's equipment includes a drum kit (or "drum set" or "trap set"), which includes various drums, cymbals and an assortment of accessory hardware such as pedals, standing support mechanisms, and drum sticks. Particularly in the traditional music of many countries, drummers use individual drums of various sizes and designs rather than drum kits. Some use only their hands to strike the drums. In larger ensembles, the drummer may be part of a rhythm section with other percussion ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cantar Caste
Cantar (also spelled ''Shandar'' or ''Sandar'', they are also known as ''Shanar'' and ''Shandrar'') is a Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil Caste system in Sri Lanka, caste found in Sri Lanka. They are traditionally occupied in Oil-pressing and cultivation. Etymology The Cantars are also known as ''Shanar.'' The term is proposed as an etymologically corruptive derivative of ''shandrar'', the older term for the community. History They were originally tree-climbers and toddy tappers. They claim origin from the Nadar (caste), Shanars of South India, who settled in Sri Lanka, initially in the Puttalam District, Puttalam region, due to social clashes and overpopulation in South India. The Jaffna Kingdom were known for exporting elephants, which were caught in the Vanni region and maintained by the Cantars.{{Cite book, url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yI4cAAAAMAAJ, title=Early Settlements in Jaffna: An Archaeological Survey, last=Ph.D. Ragupathy, first=Ponnampalam, date=1987, publisher=T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dewa (people)
Dewa people were one of the four main tribes (Dewa, Yaksha, Naga, Raksha) of History of Sri Lanka, ancient Sri Lanka who founded the coalition of Sinhalese nationality. Sinhalese people (Sinhala: සිංහල ජනතාව, romanized: Sinhala Janathāva) are an Asura ethnic group of the island of Sri Lanka. They were historically known as Hela people (Sinhala: හෙළ), Ceylonese islanders, and Sinhalese islanders. They constitute about 75% of the Sri Lankan population and number greater than 16.2 million. The Sinhalese identity is based on language, cultural heritage and nationality. The Sinhalese people speak Sinhala language, Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan languages, insular Indo-Aryan language, and are predominantly Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Theravada Buddhists, although a minority of Sinhalese follow branches of Christianity in Sri Lanka, Christianity and Religion in Sri Lanka, other religions. Etymology Dewa (/ˈdeɪvə/; Sinhala: දේව, Deva) tribe of Sinhalese in Sri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jaggery
Jaggery is a traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar consumed in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Africa. It is a concentrated product of cane juice and often date or palm sap without separation of the molasses and crystals, and can vary from golden brown to dark brown in colour. It contains up to 50% sucrose, up to 20% invert sugars, and up to 20% moisture, with the remainder made up of other insoluble matter, such as wood ash, proteins, and bagasse fibres. Jaggery is very similar to muscovado, an important sweetener in Portuguese, British and French cuisine. The Kenyan Sukari ngutu/nguru has no fibre; it is dark and is made from sugar cane and also sometimes extracted from palm tree. Etymology Jaggery comes from Portuguese terms , , derived from Malayalam (), Kannada (), Hindi () from Sanskrit () or also in Hindi, (gur). It is a doublet of sugar. Origins and production Jaggery is made of the products of sugarcane and the toddy palm tree. The sugar made f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nalavar
Nalavar () is a Tamil caste found in Sri Lanka. They were traditionally occupied in palm tree climbing and toddy tapping. Etymology According to a folk etymology is the name Nalavar a corrupted form of ''Naluvinavar'' (those who decamped), which they gained after withdrawing from a battle field. Another theory suggest the name is derived from ''Nalua'' meaning to climb, in reference to their traditional occupation. It has also been proposed that the name is derived from ''Naravar'' (from ''Naravu,'' ancient Tamil term for toddy). History According to Yalpana Vaipava Malai were the Nalavars originally called ''Nambis'' who originally Vanniar chieftains and served as bowmen. A former subdivision among them were known as ''Kottai Vayil Nalavar'' i.e. "Nalavars in service of the fort". Under the Dutch Ceylon was the Thesavalamai law codified. This law allowed landlords to have slaves, and the Nalavars were also employed as agriculture labors, and were classified along wit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Durava
Durave or Durava or Durawa are a southern coastal Sinhalese caste in Sri Lanka. Their traditional occupation is toddy tapping. They trace their ancestry to medieval period migrants from South India. The term Durave arise from Tamil word Duraivan (துறைவன்) means person belongs to port region. The caste of Duraivan still exist in the district of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu where they indulge in fishing, toddy taping and trade. Current status They were converted to Catholic religion soon after arrival of Portuguese colonials in 1505 ACE. Using this opportunity they have upgraded themselves in relation to the dominant Govigama caste. 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 in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toddy Tapping
Palm wine, known by several #Names, local names, is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the Borassus, palmyra, date palms, and coconut palms. It is known by various names in different regions and is common in various parts of Africa, the Caribbean, South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Micronesia. Palm wine production by smallholders and individual farmers may promote conservation as palm trees become a source of regular household income that may economically be worth more than the value of timber sold. Tapping The sap is extracted and collected by a tapper. Typically the sap is collected from the cut flower of the palm tree. A container is fastened to the flower stump to collect the sap. The white liquid that initially collects tends to be very sweet and non-Alcoholic beverage, alcoholic before it is fermentation (food), fermented. An alternative method is the felling of the entire tree. Where this is practised, a fi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stonemasonry
Stonemasonry or stonecraft is the creation of buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone as the primary material. It is one of the oldest activities and professions in human history. Many of the long-lasting, ancient shelters, temples, monuments, artifacts, fortifications, roads, bridges, and entire cities were built of stone. Famous works of stonemasonry include the Egyptian pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Cusco's Incan Wall, Easter Island's statues, Angkor Wat, Borobudur, Tihuanaco, Tenochtitlan, Persepolis, the Parthenon, Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China, and Chartres Cathedral. Definition Masonry is the craft of shaping rough pieces of rock into accurate geometrical shapes, at times simple, but some of considerable complexity, and then arranging the resulting stones, often together with mortar, to form structures. *Quarrymen split sheets of rock, and extract the resulting blocks of stone from the ground. *Sawyers cut these rough blocks into cuboids, to required siz ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Carpentry
Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. Carpenters traditionally worked with natural wood and did rougher work such as framing, but today many other materials are also used and sometimes the finer trades of cabinetmaking and furniture building are considered carpentry. In the United States, 98.5% of carpenters are male, and it was the fourth most male-dominated occupation in the country in 1999. In 2006 in the United States, there were about 1.5 million carpentry positions. Carpenters are usually the first tradesmen on a job and the last to leave. Carpenters normally framed post-and-beam buildings until the end of the 19th century; now this old-fashioned carpentry is called timber framing. Carpenters learn this trade by being employed through an apprenticeship training—normally 4 years—an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Coppersmith
A coppersmith, also known as a brazier, is a person who makes artifacts from copper and brass. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The term "redsmith" is used for a tinsmith that uses tinsmithing tools and techniques to make copper items. History Anthropologists believe copper to be the first metal used by humans due to its softness and ease of manipulation. In antiquity, copper's durability and resistance to rust or corrosion proved valuable. Copper's relationship with man is thought to date back over six thousand years. Coppersmith is one of the few trades that have a mention in the Bible. Copper was particularly worked in England, with ores smelted in Wales as early as the 1500s. Copper was found in great quantities in North America, especially Montana, as well as archaic copper mines near Lake Superior, which was recorded by a Jesuit missionary in 1659. Coppersmithing as a trade benefited strongly from the invention of sheet metal rollers. Copper sheet was then available ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
