Kinnaraya - Revision history

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	{{~~Weasel~~\|date=August 2024}}		'''Kinnaraya''' (also '''Kinnarayo''' or '''Kinnara''') is a [[social group]] or [[caste]] among the [[Sinhalese people\|Sinhalese]] of [[Sri Lanka]]. Historically, they have been compared to the [[Paraiyar]] community of [[Tamil Nadu]] in [[South India]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21413/CE\|title=Kinnara in Sri Lanka\|work=joshuaproject.net\|publisher=Joshua Project\|access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref>

	~~'''Kinnaraya''' or '''Kinnarayo''' also '''Kinnara''' are a~~ [[~~social group~~]] ~~or a [[caste]] among~~ the [[~~Sinhalese people~~\|~~Sinhalese~~]] of [[Sri Lanka]]. ~~Similar~~ to the ~~[[Paraiyar]]~~ of ~~the [[Tamil Nadu]] state in [[South India]]~~.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://~~joshuaproject~~.~~net~~/~~people_groups~~/~~21413~~/CE\|title=~~Kinnara~~ in Sri Lanka\|~~work~~=~~joshuaproject~~.~~net~~\|publisher=~~Joshua Project~~\|access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref>		==Origins==
			Mainstream Sinhalese speakers traditionally claim [[North Indian]] ethnic origins, yet the presence of several South Indian-type [[Jatis\|social groups]] like the Kinnaraya suggests a more complex pattern of migration from India to Sri Lanka. Some scholars believe that early Sinhalese society recruited labour from South India to support land clearance and the founding of new villages.<ref name="Survey">{{cite web\|url=https://www.seu.ac.lk/researchandpublications/kalam/vol8/5%20KALAM%20VIII%20(1)%202014%20%20(Page%2040-47).doc14.11.2014-3.pdf\|title=A Historical Survey of Social Class and Caste System in Sri Lanka (pp. 40–47)\|author=Riswan, M.\|format=PDF\|publisher=KALAM International Journal of Faculty of Arts and Culture, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka\|access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref>

			Indigenous communities known in early texts as [[Vedda people\|Yakkas]] and Nagas were gradually incorporated into the caste structure at lower levels, providing services essential for survival as their original habitats were altered or taken over. Alongside the [[Rodiya]] community, the Kinnaraya are considered by some researchers to be descendants of indigenous tribal groups that eventually became marginalised as a [[Dalit]]-like caste.<ref name="Survey"/>

	~~==Origins==~~
	As the mainstream Sinhalese speakers claim [[North Indian]] ethnic origins, the presence of many South Indian-type [[Jatis\|social groups]] like the Kinnaraya indicate a complex migration history from India to Sri Lanka. But Kinnaraya do indicate vestiges{{Like what?\|date=August 2024}} of tribal origins like the other formerly [[untouchable caste]] [[Rodiyas]]. Some [[anthropologists]]{{Who?\|date=August 2024}} believe that the early society of Sri Lanka looked to South India for manpower to fulfill functional needs as land was cleared and new villages founded. The indigenous people of Sri Lanka known in the legends{{Weasel inline\|date=August 2024}} as [[Vedda people\|Yakkas]] and Nagas also fused with the caste structure at the bottom as marginal people providing needed support services for survival as their habitats were cleared or simply taken over. Unlike other Sinhalese castes there is anecdotal evidence that along with [[Rodiyas]], the Kinnarays were an [[indigenous peoples of Asia\|indigenous]] tribal group that eventually became a [[Dalit (outcaste)\|Dalit]]-like caste.<ref name="Survey">{{cite web\|url=https://www.seu.ac.lk/researchandpublications/kalam/vol8/5%20KALAM%20VIII%20(1)%202014%20%20(Page%2040-47).doc14.11.2014-3.pdf\|title=A Historical Survey of Social Class and Caste System in Sri Lanka (pag. 40-47)\|author=Riswan, M.\|format=PDF\|publisher=“KALAM” International Journal of Faculty of Arts and Culture, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka\|access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref>
	==Etymology==		==Etymology==
	The origin of the word ''Kinnara'' is ~~complex~~ and ~~number of~~ theories have been proposed.{{Such as?\|s\|date=August 2024}} But it is not clear how this early [[Vedic language\|Vedic]] or [[Proto-Dravidian]] word or a word similar to it came to describe this small social group.{{Original research?\|date=August 2024}} Most Hindu and Buddhist literature ~~have differing~~ meanings ~~for~~ this ~~word~~.~~{{Such as?\|s\|date~~=~~August 2024}}~~		The origin of the word ''Kinnara'' is uncertain, and several theories have been proposed. In Hindu and Buddhist literature, the term carries various meanings, often referring to mythical celestial beings. However, the connection between this early term and the modern social group remains unclear.<ref name="Survey"/>

	==Status==		==Status==
	~~As a~~ numerically small and ~~culturally insignificant{{Weasel inline\|date=August 2024}} community they have not been able to upgrade their social~~ position in ~~the society~~.~~{{Citation needed\|date=September 2025}}~~ Many ~~live~~ as agricultural or domestic ~~workers~~, overseas ~~[[maid]]s~~ in the [[Middle East]], or ~~especially since~~ the [[Black July]] ~~civil war pogroms as recruits~~ in ~~the army~~.		The Kinnaraya community is numerically small and has historically occupied a low position in Sri Lanka's caste hierarchy. Many community members work as agricultural or domestic labourers, as overseas domestic workers in the [[Middle East]], or as recruits in the Sri Lankan military, particularly following the ethnic violence of [[Black July]] in 1983.

	==~~Sub divisions~~==		==Subdivisions==
	~~There used to be many~~ clan-like subdivisions~~{{Like what?\|date=August 2024}}~~ within the caste ~~that~~ are not ~~attested~~ in ~~the known~~ literature.~~{{cn\|date=August 2024}}~~		Historically, there may have been clan-like subdivisions within the Kinnaraya caste, though detailed records of these groups are not well documented in available literature.

	==Religion==		==Religion==
	~~Although~~ many Kinnaraya ~~purport to adhere to the conservative~~ [[Theravada\|Theravada Buddhism]] ~~there is a widespread belief~~ in ~~[[Demons]]~~, ~~Spirits~~, [[Hindu deities]] ~~and practice of related~~ rituals ~~such as~~ [[spirit possession]] and ~~[[Curse\|~~cursing~~]] rituals~~. The Kinnaraya community is particularly known for its performances of the comic opera ~~[[folk plays\|~~''Sokari''~~]] performed~~ on the Kamatha threshing floor in ~~honor~~ of the goddess [[Pattini]] and the god [[Kataragama]].<ref name="Survey"/>		While many Kinnaraya identify as followers of [[Theravada\|Theravada Buddhism]], their religious practice often includes beliefs in demons, spirits, and [[Hindu deities]], as well as rituals involving [[spirit possession]] and cursing. The Kinnaraya community is particularly known for its performances of the comic folk opera ''Sokari'', which is staged on the Kamatha threshing floor in honour of the goddess [[Pattini]] and the god [[Kataragama]].<ref name="Survey"/>

	==See also==		==See also==
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	==External links==		==External links==
	*[http://vedda.org/indigenous-lanka.htm Indigenous Lanka: Consensus for Survival]		* [http://vedda.org/indigenous-lanka.htm Indigenous Lanka: Consensus for Survival]
	*[http://www.craftrevival.org/Extralinks.asp?PageCode=P00014 Introduction, Craft History, Developments Since Independence] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928065009/http://www.craftrevival.org/Extralinks.asp?PageCode=P00014 \|date=2007-09-28 }}		* [http://www.craftrevival.org/Extralinks.asp?PageCode=P00014 Introduction, Craft History, Developments Since Independence] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928065009/http://www.craftrevival.org/Extralinks.asp?PageCode=P00014 \|date=2007-09-28 }}
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051108072524/http://www.nucleus2000.de/srilanka/features/kasten/kasten02.htm Singhalesische Kasten German article]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051108072524/http://www.nucleus2000.de/srilanka/features/kasten/kasten02.htm Singhalesische Kasten (German article)]
	*[http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-13181.html Caste amongst the Sinhalese]		* [http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-13181.html Caste amongst the Sinhalese]

	[[Category:Dalit communities]]		[[Category:Dalit communities]]
	[[Category:Sinhalese castes]]		[[Category:Sinhalese castes]]

Bharatwiki Socrates: Created page with "{{Weasel|date=August 2024}} '''Kinnaraya''' or '''Kinnarayo''' also '''Kinnara''' are a social group or a caste among the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. Similar to the Paraiyar of the Tamil Nadu state in South India.{{cite web|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21413/CE|title=Kinnara in Sri Lanka|work=joshuaproject.net|publisher=Joshua Project|access-date=August 1, 2024}} ==Origins== As the mainstream Sinhalese..."

2026-08-16T09:45:58Z

Created page with "{{Weasel|date=August 2024}} '''Kinnaraya''' or '''Kinnarayo''' also '''Kinnara''' are a social group or a caste among the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. Similar to the Paraiyar of the Tamil Nadu state in South India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21413/CE|title=Kinnara in Sri Lanka|work=joshuaproject.net|publisher=Joshua Project|access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref> ==Origins== As the mainstream Sinhalese..."

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{{Weasel|date=August 2024}}

'''Kinnaraya''' or '''Kinnarayo''' also '''Kinnara''' are a [[social group]] or a [[caste]] among the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] of [[Sri Lanka]]. Similar to the [[Paraiyar]] of the [[Tamil Nadu]] state in [[South India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21413/CE|title=Kinnara in Sri Lanka|work=joshuaproject.net|publisher=Joshua Project|access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref>

==Origins==
As the mainstream Sinhalese speakers claim [[North Indian]] ethnic origins, the presence of many South Indian-type [[Jatis|social groups]] like the Kinnaraya indicate a complex migration history from India to Sri Lanka. But Kinnaraya do indicate vestiges{{Like what?|date=August 2024}} of tribal origins like the other formerly [[untouchable caste]] [[Rodiyas]]. Some [[anthropologists]]{{Who?|date=August 2024}} believe that the early society of Sri Lanka looked to South India for manpower to fulfill functional needs as land was cleared and new villages founded. The indigenous people of Sri Lanka known in the legends{{Weasel inline|date=August 2024}} as [[Vedda people|Yakkas]] and Nagas also fused with the caste structure at the bottom as marginal people providing needed support services for survival as their habitats were cleared or simply taken over. Unlike other Sinhalese castes there is anecdotal evidence that along with [[Rodiyas]], the Kinnarays were an [[indigenous peoples of Asia|indigenous]] tribal group that eventually became a [[Dalit (outcaste)|Dalit]]-like caste.<ref name="Survey">{{cite web|url=https://www.seu.ac.lk/researchandpublications/kalam/vol8/5%20KALAM%20VIII%20(1)%202014%20%20(Page%2040-47).doc14.11.2014-3.pdf|title=A Historical Survey of Social Class and Caste System in Sri Lanka (pag. 40-47)|author=Riswan, M.|format=PDF|publisher=“KALAM” International Journal of Faculty of Arts and Culture, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka|access-date=August 1, 2024}}</ref>
==Etymology==
The origin of the word ''Kinnara'' is complex and number of theories have been proposed.{{Such as?|s|date=August 2024}} But it is not clear how this early [[Vedic language|Vedic]] or [[Proto-Dravidian]] word or a word similar to it came to describe this small social group.{{Original research?|date=August 2024}} Most Hindu and Buddhist literature have differing meanings for this word.{{Such as?|s|date=August 2024}}

==Status==
As a numerically small and culturally insignificant{{Weasel inline|date=August 2024}} community they have not been able to upgrade their social position in the society.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} Many live as agricultural or domestic workers, overseas [[maid]]s in the [[Middle East]], or especially since the [[Black July]] civil war pogroms as recruits in the army.

==Sub divisions==
There used to be many clan-like subdivisions{{Like what?|date=August 2024}} within the caste that are not attested in the known literature.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

==Religion==
Although many Kinnaraya purport to adhere to the conservative [[Theravada|Theravada Buddhism]] there is a widespread belief in [[Demons]], Spirits, [[Hindu deities]] and practice of related rituals such as [[spirit possession]] and [[Curse|cursing]] rituals. The Kinnaraya community is particularly known for its performances of the comic opera [[folk plays|''Sokari'']] performed on the Kamatha threshing floor in honor of the goddess [[Pattini]] and the god [[Kataragama]].<ref name="Survey"/>

==See also==
* [[Kinnara kingdom]]
* [[History of Sri Lanka]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://vedda.org/indigenous-lanka.htm Indigenous Lanka: Consensus for Survival]
*[http://www.craftrevival.org/Extralinks.asp?PageCode=P00014 Introduction, Craft History, Developments Since Independence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928065009/http://www.craftrevival.org/Extralinks.asp?PageCode=P00014 |date=2007-09-28 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051108072524/http://www.nucleus2000.de/srilanka/features/kasten/kasten02.htm Singhalesische Kasten German article]
*[http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-13181.html Caste amongst the Sinhalese]

[[Category:Dalit communities]]
[[Category:Sinhalese castes]]