Caste system

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From Buddhist Encyclopedia

Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social stratification, such as clans, gentes, or the Indian caste system.

The word caste (Sanskrit: kula or Jati जाति Hindi: Biradari बिरादरी, samaj समाज, jati जाति etc ) 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 the broadest sense, some caste-based societies include South Africa during the era of apartheid, the antebellum South of the United States until the Civil Rights movement, colonial Latin America under Spanish and Portugues rule (see Casta), and 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, the lines were more blurred. Major castes were subdivided into hundreds of sub-castes or Jatis. For example, in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, states of South India, castes based on occupation might have resembled: Carpenters as Asari, goldsmiths as Thattar, coppersmiths as Muusaari, ironsmiths as Karuvar, washerwomen as Ambattar, and cobblers as Parayar and so on. Usually, these similarities in occupation echoed within similar ethnic groups that shared the same language and traditions. Endogamous marriage (including polyandry) and other association within caste was strongly enforced. In the past, some castes would 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. Based on the caste system there was also a practice to define 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 this type of caste discrimination is still practiced.

Jati

• 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.

Indian caste system

Story on the Origin of Castes, from the Puranas

Although the Hindu Dharma is the original propogator of non-violence there originated several castes and sub-castes because of the rich honored wanted to maintain their position in society. In the Puranas for instance, the creation of humans and the castes they belong to, is discussed in a myth like fashion. It is said that the creator of the universe, Lord Brahma, created some humans from the flesh of his biceps - they were the caste known as Kshatriyas (Warriors and Nobility). He created some from his head, and they were Brahamanas (Priests). Some from his belly, the merchants known as Vaishyas(Merchants and Traders) and some sprang from the dust under his feet, they were know as Sudras(Artisans, Painters, and other Manual Laborers).

Many scholars have the opinion that the caste system was free at first implying that change of caste within the Hindu system was permitted and that caste was not a form of social ranking; others however feel that it was a form of racism and interpret the meaning of the word 'sudra' to mean 'dark' or 'black'.The most likely explanaition for these events is that the caste system was started with good intentions and just happened naturally on its own, then later was abused to create an oppressive caste system.

Many castes are traditionally associated with an occupation, such as high-ranking Brahmins; middle-ranking farmer and artisan groups, such as potters, barbers, and carpenters; and very low-ranking "Untouchable" leatherworkers, butchers, launderers, and latrine cleaners. There is some correlation between ritual rank on the caste hierarchy and economic prosperity. Members of higher-ranking castes tend, on the whole, to be more prosperous than members of lower-ranking castes. Many lower-caste people live in conditions of great poverty and social disadvantage.

Modern perceptions of caste

While the Vedas mention only four main Jats (classes), pre-independence (1947) India had numerous castes (kulas or Jatis) within each Varna. While still evident, these castes are fast losing their influence with the rapid urbanization and education of India's largely rural, agrarian population. Castes are, however, still officially documented through the census, primarily to determine those deserving reservation, the Indian analogue of affirmative action.

Caste-based politics have strong roots in many Indian states. Similar to the Christian concept of Excommunication, there are numerous instances where individuals lost their caste due to misdeed on their part. It is debated whether converts are essentially freed of the caste system and on an equal social footing with others, regardless of their birth or education, despite the marketing efforts of proselytizers. The tribal identification remains despite conversion to other religions. For example, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy Yeduguri (Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy), is a Reddy Christian, while Professor Ilaiah Kanche belongs to a Golla/Kuruma Christian. Matrimony between members of different castes is not rare, but is not very frequent. The same can be said of inter-religious marriages.

Dr. Ambedkar championed the cause of the untouchables or Dalits. Dr. Ambedkar who himself is a Dalit underwent enormous opposition, threats and intimidation in his effort to change the attitudes of the upper caste mentality. Ambedkar insisted on the necessity of separate electorates for the depressed classes. Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress Party were opposed to separate electorates for the depressed classes, and Ambedkar and Gandhi had clashed on the subject at the Second Round Table Conference. Although Gandhi was one of the earliest champions of the cause of untouchables (though , paradoxically, he believed in the caste system) he hoped to avoid allowing the British to politically divide Hindus based on caste. When the British made their Communal Award in 1932, they granted separate electorates for untouchables. Gandhi went on a "fast unto death," an action which led Ambedkar to meet with Hindu orthodox leaders and leaders of the Indian National Congress, and eventually agree to give up the separate electorates and quotas. In return, the Congress Party agreed to increase its representation of untouchables, and Hindu religious leaders became aggressive in their attack upon caste discrimination and untouchability as a whole. Dr. Ambedkar, is openly credited with the crafting of the Indian Constitution. This volume has much significance, for other nations who won independence at about the same time in the Indian subcontinent, failed to enshrine the rights of their citizens. India, alone is the exception - and Dr. Ambedkar's contributions are openly recognized. Ambedkar was not satisfied by what he felt were inevitably hollow promises given the reluctance of orthodox Hindus to re-visit caste doctrines, and his being more or less forced to make concessions to Gandhi over certain key political issues. At this point, partly as a result of the opposition he had encountered over the question of separate electorates and partly because of the continued exclusion of Untouchables from some Hindu temples. He also began to think there was no future for the Untouchables within Hinduism and that they should change their religion. In spite of this, there was little or no reaction from the Hindu community, which saw him as a Reformer.

Inter-caste marriages remain uncommon in contemporary India, and such marriages have regularly lead to violent retaliation by the couples' near and dear ones. The Supreme Court of India]has played a crucial role in legitimizing, and even promoting inter-caste marriages as a necessity for the progress of the Indian nation.<ref name="Supreme court's role in promoting, and even legitimizing inter-caste marriages">

Nepalese caste system

Nepalese caste system resembles that of the Indian Jati]system with numerous Jati divisions with a Varna system superimposed.

Sri Lankan caste system

Sri Lankan system resembles that of the South Indian Jati system with numerous Jati divisions without a Varna system superimposition.

Balinese caste system

Balinese caste system resembles in the Indian system with a four fold division of society. Shudras make up 97% of the society.

Yemen caste system

In Yemen there exists a caste like system that keeps Al-Akhdam social group as the perennial manual workers for the society through violence.

Pseudo-Castes in ancient Israel

Something superficially resembling the caste system was also found in Judaism (during the Temple in period), where Israelites were divided into the inherited Kohen priesthood (a sub-group of Levites), who, due to their Temple duties, had access to most parts of the Temple and performed the primary services there, other Levites, whose auxiliary duties allowed them somewhat less access than the Kohanim, and the rest of the Israelites, whose involvement in the Temple was lesser than the Levites. This "caste system" had mostly ritualistic ramifications, and the social side-effects were very limited and far different in nature than those found in the Hindu caste system, which entailed almost complete social separation and a clear social hierarchy. The various groups enjoyed no restrictions on social interaction or social activity, though Kohanim were usually treated with a degree of reverence. Kohanim and Levites were specially designated for Temple activities, but were not allotted a land inheritence in Israel (for "God is his inherited portion" and "Behold, I have taken the Levites from amongst the Children of Israel... and the Levites shall be mine" [Numbers 3:12]). In place of land, the Levites and Kohanim were entitled to tithes, and the Israelites were charged with the task of keeping the Levites from poverty. Intermarriage was allowed within the Israelite people (with the minor marital restriction prohibiting a Kohen from marrying a divorcee, a convert, or a woman who had slept with a non-Jew), and the Israelites were prohibited only from marrying outside their own people. This Israelite pseudo-"caste system" continued along lines of Patrilineal descent. Converts to the Israelite people were considered full Israelites, and Mosaic law demanded that they be treated kindly and with special sensitivity. In contemporary Judaism, despite the absence of the Temple, certain ritual laws continue to apply to Kohanim, and both they and the Levites are honored with deferential formalities in some rituals.

Castes in Africa

Countries in Africa who have societies with caste systems within their borders include Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Nigeria, Chad, Ethiopia and Somalia.

The Osu caste system in Nigeria and southern Cameroon, can be traced back to an indigenous religious belief system, practiced within the Igbo nation. It is the belief of many Igbo traditionalists that the Osus are people historically owned by deities, and are therefore considered to be a 'living sacrifice', an outcaste, untouchable and sub-human.

Caste systems in Somali outcaste Midgan-Madhiban, Yibir, Tumal and other groups deemed to be impure. The outcaste clans do not descend from the Arabic-origin ancestors of the political powerful noble caste, such as the Darood, Hawiye and Isaak clans, and are traditionally forbidden to socialize with others in Somali society, have no access to public wells and other water sources, cannot own land and are not allowed to live in villages.

Among the Mande societies in Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana people are divided by occupation and ethnic ties. The highest hierarchy in the Mande caste system, the Horon (nobles/freeborn), are traditionally comprised of farmers, fisherman, warriors and animal breeders, the lowest caste are the Jonow, a "slave" caste, made up of people whose ancestors were enslaved by other Africans during tribal wars. The Wolof hierarchical caste system in Senegal is divided into three main groups, the Geer (freeborn/nobles), jaam (slaves and slave descendents) and the outcasted neeno (people of caste).

The caste system found amongst the Borana in North Eastern Kenya is divided into four distinct castes. At the top, there are Borana Gutu (Pure), followed by Gabra, then Sakuye, and Watta, a traditional hunter-gatherer caste, being the last. The Watta are condemned to life-long servitude for members of the higher castes. Among the Tuareg societies found in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, exists a similar caste system, where the Bellah slave caste is treated as slaves to other castes.

In Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Congo it is known as ubuhake. The Tutsi, who comprise about 15% of the population of these areas, were the ruling, Cattle-owning caste - corresponding to the "Kshatriyas" in the Vedic system. Below them were the Hutu, the farmers - corresponding with the Vedic Sudras; about 80% of the population. Fewer than 3% of the population are Twa or Pygmies, who occupy a position similar to that of 'tribals' in the Indian system.

During the German suzerainty over Rwanda and Burundi, the authorities reinforced the system by employing Tutsis in hegemonic roles. The Belgian colonialists who succeeded them after World War I continued this policy, instituting 'ethnic' identity cards. They also incorporated subsidiary populations, such as the Hima and the Baganwa, into the Tutsi.

After independence, tensions intensified. In 1972, Tutsis were responsible for a wholesale massacre of Hutus. In the 1990s, Hutus responded with counter-massacres.

See also

• Apartheid laws
• Blood money laws
• Burakumin
• Devşirme system
• Dhimmi laws
• Ghetto
• Guild
• Jim Crow laws
• Jizyah tax
• Judenhut
• Mellah
• Ottoman Millet system
• Nuremberg laws
• Second-class citizen
• Segregation
• Social stratification
• Zamindar
• Dalit (outcaste)
• Feudal society
• Serfdom
• Class society
• Yuuzhan Vong A fictional Stars Wars race based on caste system.

References

• 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.

Web References

• Spectres of Agrarian Territory by David Ludden December 11, 2001

External links

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 & Dalits

Articles

• Rankism: A Social Disorder
• 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 Andhra
• New Internationalist, July 2005, "Combatting Caste"
• The Caste System in India
• Jati system in India
• Caste & the Tamil Nation - Brahmins, Non Brahmins & Dalits
• Caste in India,
• Buddhism and Caste
• Indian tribals and Caste
• Physical anthropology and Caste,
• Is Caste System Intrinsic to Hinduism?
• news on caste, communalism, and class struggle in South Asia from the Anti-Caste Information Page