Nalavar

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.

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Sri Lankan Tamil people ஈழத் தமிழர்
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Karaiyar · Koviar · Mukkuvar Nalavar · Panchamar · Paraiyar Vellalar · Vedar
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Origins

It is a unique caste as one of the Tamil castes that is not found in Tamil Nadu (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.

Historic condition

As a historically depressed social group, they were restricted to Jaffna peninsula and certain areas of Putalam and eastern Batticaloa 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.

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 Colombo 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.

See also

• Durave Srilankan community speaks sinhala

References

• Nobodies to some bodies, information on Nalavar population estimates
• The Sri Lankan Tamils - ethnicity & Identity (1994)
• Murder of a prominent Nalavar personality