Caste
Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of
social stratification, such as
clans,
gentes, or the
Indian caste system. The word
caste is derived from the
Portuguese word
casta, meaning "lineage"
Anthropologists use the term more generally, to refer to a social group that is
endogamous and
occupationally specialized; such groups are common in highly stratified societies with a very low degree of social mobility. In its broadest sense, examples of caste-based societies include
South Africa during the era of
apartheid; the
antebellum South of the
United States until the
Civil Rights movement; and colonial
Latin America under
Spanish and
Portuguese rule (see
Casta), apart from
India prior to 1947.
However, a difference arises when comparing caste-like systems in other countries to India. In the other countries, the separation between one group and the other was usually along racial lines. Within India, that is not so. Nor is there any discernable dichotomy (white/black or high/low) because the caste system forms a continuum that defies such ready definition. Lower-caste people live in conditions of great poverty and social disadvantage, forming the most impoverished segment of a very indigent country.
The concept of 'upper' and 'lower' caste is therefore a matter of social standing and ritual pollution rather than anything based on wealth or influence. Even in this age, some castes do not allow other caste members to touch them, and would have washed themselves or their possessions if they had been touched by someone from a "lower" caste. In some parts of India, there was the practice of defining the physical distance one should keep from persons of another caste. As a result of this, children who attended a school where children of lower castes were present had to bathe in running water before returning home. In some parts of the world and India, such caste discrimination still exists, though it is punishable by law.
Loss of caste could occur if individuals strayed from the norms of behavior expected of them; for instance, if one married a person belonging to another caste. Naturally, conversion (generally to Christianity or Islam) also had a similar result. Despite the marketing efforts of proselytizers, the fact is that converts rarely achieve emancipation from the caste system and gain an equal social standing with people of privilege. Even among converts, matrimony between members of different castes is rare, although it is not unknown. The incidence can be said to be around the same as in Hindu society. A detailed analysis of the caste system,
Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development in India was presented by Dr.
B. R. Ambedkar in his doctoral paper at the Columbia Univerity.
Caste system among Indian Muslims
See also Caste System among Indian MuslimsThere is also a caste system among Indian muslims [
1]. They are broadly divided into two castes, Ashraf and Ajlaf, or oonchi zaat (high caste) and niichi zaat (low caste). For details, see
Caste System among Indian Muslims.
Puranic legend on the origin of castes
In the
Puranas, it is said that the creator of the universe, Lord
Brahma, created some humans from his mouth - they took to they became reciters of the Veda and became the
Brahmins. Then he created other humans from his arms, they became the
Kshatriyas, bearers of arms, the warrior and ruling class. Brahma then created some from his abdomen, who became the
Vaishyas or merchants. Finally, Brahma created humans from his feet. They served the other castes even as the feet serve the man; they came to become the
Sudras (manual labourers and artisans). Thus, the whole universe is held to be one organic entity, the body of the almighty.
Many scholars have the opinion that the caste system was not rigid in early vedic times. They aver that change of one's caste could be effected with relative ease, by changing ones vocation and gaining an education. Others however feel that caste began as a form of racism and interpret the meaning of the word 'sudra' to mean 'dark' or 'black'.
Jati
Major castes were subdivided into hundreds of sub-castes or Jatis. Castes were based on occupation. Endogamous marriage (including polyandry) and other association within caste was strongly enforced.
*Sub-castes within a group of Jat ("birth" as opposed to Varna) were called Jati
*Jati members were allowed to marry only with their Jati.
*People were born into their Jati; this status couldn't be changed, unless through marriage or under rare circumstances.
*Each Jati was part of a locally based system of interdependence with other groups, involving occupational specialization, and was linked in complex ways with networks that stretched across regions.For example, in
Tamil Nadu and
Kerala, states of
South India, castes based on occupation would include:
Asari (carpenters),
Thattar (goldsmiths),
Muusaari (coppersmiths),
Karuvar (ironsmiths),
Ambattar (clothes-washers),
Parayar (cobblers) and so on.
Modern developments
Even with the rapid urbanization and education of India's largely rural, agrarian population, the baneful effects of caste are slowly being eradicated, but meet up with stiff resistance in many parts of the country. The caste system and its attendant practises have been outlawed and declared punishable offences, but these laws are difficult to implement. There are occasional violations of human rights of
Dalits (outcastes - also called untouchables) by orthodox elements among the higher castes, including forcing Dalits into their traditional professions despite merits to the contrary. Dalits have often been victimized by orthodox Brahmins and middle castes in rural areas and live in poverty. The government of India provides reservations for government jobs and of university seats in programs of higher education (undergraduate and above) for people hailing from
Scheduled castes,
Scheduled tribes and
Other Backward Castes; see
Reservation in India . It has been argued by Dalits that upper caste Hindus are trying to scuttle these efforts. Upper caste Hindus and several secular elements counter-argue that unmeritorious Dalits are exploiting affirmative action to their advantage and meritorious candidates are being sidelined. In addition, many have argued that the caste system, rather than being eradicated, is reversing itself, with Dalits frequently touting
anti-Brahmanical hate-speech [
2] and ethnically cleansing upper castes from places like
Jharkhand and
Tamil Nadu. Dalits who have converted to Buddhism and Christianity have been incited by missionaries to attack Hindu temples and vandalize deities[
3].
Nepalese caste system resembles that of the Indian
Jati system with numerous Jati divisions with a Varna system superimposed.
Sri Lankan system resembles that of the South Indian
Jati system with numerous Jati divisions without a Varna system superimposition.
Balinese caste system resembles in the Indian system with a four fold division of society.
Shudras make up 97% of the society.
In
Yemen there exists a caste like system that keeps
Al-Akhdam social group as the perennial manual workers for the society through violence.
*
Social stratification*
Feudal society*
Class society
*Spectres of Agrarian Territory by David Ludden December 11, 2001
* Early Evidence for Caste in South India, p. 467-492 in Dimensions of Social Life: Essays in honor of David G. Mandelbaum, Edited by Paul Hockings and Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin, New York, Amsterdam, 1987.
Sites*http://www.idsn.org International Dalit Solidarity Network
*http://www.dalits.org National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights
*http://www.dalits.nl Dalit Network Netherlands
*
Anti-Caste Information Page On caste, communalism, and class struggle.
*
Ambedkar.org*
Caste & the Tamil Nation - Brahmins, Non Brahmins & DalitsArticles*
India Together on Caste *
Rankism: A Social Disorder*
Varna Ashram and Hindu Scriptures (pdf) *
Muslims and Caste*
On the Social Function of Caste: A Reply to Jared Diamond*
On discrimination against untouchable survivors of the South Asian tsunami*
Personal family history of an untouchable writer from AndhraNew Internationalist, July 2005, "Combatting Caste"
*
The Caste System in India*
Jati system in IndiaArticles on Caste by Koenraad Elst: Caste in India,
Buddhism and Caste,
Indian tribals and Caste,
Physical anthropology and Caste,
Etymology of Varna *
Is Caste System Intrinsic to Hinduism? *
Caste & the Tamil Nation - Brahmins, Non Brahmins & Dalits*
Hindu Caste System & Hinduism: Vedic vocations (Hindu castes) were not related to heredity (birth) *
ISKCON view of caste and behavior.
*[http://www.maanojrakhit.com/e_book11_varn_system_text.htm These documented Results of 4-Varn system can make you Proud of your Hindu heritage*
news on caste, communalism, and class struggle in South Asia from the
Anti-Caste Information Page
