Nalavar (Tamil: நளவர், romanized: Naḷavar) is a Tamil caste found in Sri Lanka. They were traditionally occupied in palm tree climbing and toddy tapping.[1]

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.[2] Another theory suggest the name is derived from Nalua meaning to climb, in reference to their traditional occupation.[3]

It has also been proposed that the name is derived from Naravar (from Naravu, ancient Tamil term for toddy).[4]

History

According to Yalpana Vaipava Malai were the Nalavars originally called Nambis who originally Vanniar chieftains and served as bowmen.[5] A former subdivision among them were known as Kottai Vayil Nalavar i.e. "Nalavars in service of the fort".[4]

Under the Dutch Ceylon was the Thesavalamai law codified.[6] This law allowed landlords to have slaves, and the Nalavars were also employed as agriculture labors, and were classified along with the Pallar under the term Adimai (slave).[7][8]

Customs

The badge and cattle brand mark of the Nalavars is the bow and arrow.[9] The Nalavar along with the Pallar worship Annamar, their caste deity.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ McGilvray, Dennis B. (1974). Tamils and Moors: caste and matriclan structure in eastern Sri Lanka. University of Chicago. p. 176.
  2. ↑ Pillay, Kolappa Pillay Kanakasabhapathi (1963). South India and Ceylon. University of Madras. p. 161.
  3. ↑ Tambiah, Henry Wijayakone (2001). The Laws and Customs of the Tamils of Jaffna. Women's Education & Research Centre. p. 77. ISBN 9789559261162.
  4. 1 2 Ph.D. Ragupathy, Ponnampalam (1987). Early Settlements in Jaffna: An Archaeological Survey. University of Jaffna: Thillimalar Ragupathy. p. 210.
  5. ↑ Pulavar, Mātakal Mayilvākan̲ap (1999). The Yalpana-vaipava-malai, Or, The History of the Kingdom of Jaffna. Asian Educational Services. p. 34. ISBN 9788120613621.
  6. ↑ University of Ceylon Review. University of Ceylon. 1952. p. 34.
  7. ↑ Raghavan 1971, p. 109.
  8. ↑ Wilson, A. Jeyaratnam (2000). Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism: Its Origins and Development in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Hurst. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-85065-519-0.
  9. ↑ Raghavan, M. D. (1971). Tamil culture in Ceylon: a general introduction. Kalai Nilayam. p. 179.
  10. ↑ Pfaffenberger, Bryan (1977). Pilgrimage and Traditional Authority in Tamil Sri Lanka. University of California, Berkeley. p. 136.
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