Demalagattara

Demalagattara are a social group or caste amongst the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. It is a unique caste, because although they are ethnically Sinhalese but proudly proclaim their Tamil ethnic origins, whereas all other South India derives castes such as Karave, Salagama, Durave and Berava go to extreme lengths to deny the obvious links as part of their assimilation with the dominant Sinhalese society.

Origins

As the mainstream Sinhalese speakers claim North Indian ethnic origins the presence of many South Indian type Jatis like the Demalagatara indicate a complex migration history from India to Sri Lanka. Demalagatara do not indicate any tribal origins like the other formerly untouchable caste of Rodiyas. They are part and parcel of the caste structure albeit with a primary function associated with formerly martial origins. Yet today they are also agriculturalists and workers throughout the country. They were classed as a sub-caste of the Govigama during the British period.

South Indian roots

Some anthropologists believe that the early society of Sri Lanka has looked to neighboring South India for manpower to fulfill functional needs as land was cleared and many new villages found. Demalagatara are believed to be descended from Maravar or Kallar like martial castes of South India who also play an important role as mercenaries medieval Sinhalese kingdoms.

Etymology of Demalagattara

‘Demala’ is the Sinhala word for Tamil and ‘Gattara’ is the word used in ancient Sri Lankan rock inscriptions and literature to refer to serfs. As such Demalagattara translates into English as ‘Tamil serfs’. ‘Agricultural serfs’ were part of the feudal land tenure system of Sri Lanka. There were also ‘domestic serfs’. Gattara is generally believed to indicate lower caste or tribal status but the community does not generally accept this identification by their Sinhalese neighbors (See Govigama). The name indicate a late arrival and domination. The group was looked down upon by the neighboring Govigama but due to their martial background was able to maintain their land grants and general wellbeing.

Origin myths

The community in order to ingratiate itself with the country as an age community believes tells everyone they descended from soldiers who accompanied a 2nd century BCE Tamil Chola King named as Ellara. But in reality the story is partly true, they are South Indian soldiers who got to settle down due royal grants but the actual time and the king(s) who granted them these privileges happened much later than indicated by their origin myth.

Current status

They have a reputation for violence as violence is seen as a method by which to maintain their high social status while everyone around them would like to see them treated as a lower caste as the name indicates. Their belief in a martial past as well as their reputation for violence has enabled the numerically small community surrounded by larger Govigama caste to survive and succeed in the modern nation state.

They are Theravada Buddhists by religion and not much of research is done by any modern sociologists, anthropologists or even linguists amongst this unique community. The original research done was during the British Colonial period and is dated. (See Caste in Sri Lanka)

References

• Bryce Ryan, Caste in Modern Ceylon, Rutgers University Press, 1953.