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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{{ | '''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> | ||
==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"/> | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The origin of the word ''Kinnara'' is | 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== | ||
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. | |||
== | ==Subdivisions== | ||
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== | ||
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== | ||
| Line 25: | Line 26: | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://vedda.org/indigenous-lanka.htm | * [http://vedda.org/indigenous-lanka.htm Indigenous Lanka: Consensus for Survival] | ||
*[http://www.craftrevival.org/Extralinks.asp?PageCode=P00014 | * [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]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:17, 16 August 2026
Kinnaraya (also Kinnarayo or Kinnara) is a social group or caste among the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. Historically, they have been compared to the Paraiyar community of Tamil Nadu in South India.[1]
Origins[edit | edit source]
Mainstream Sinhalese speakers traditionally claim North Indian ethnic origins, yet the presence of several South Indian-type 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.[2]
Indigenous communities known in early texts as 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.[2]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
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.[2]
Status[edit | edit source]
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.
Subdivisions[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
While many Kinnaraya identify as followers of 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.[2]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Kinnara in Sri Lanka". joshuaproject.net. Joshua Project. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Riswan, M. "A Historical Survey of Social Class and Caste System in Sri Lanka (pp. 40–47)" (PDF). KALAM International Journal of Faculty of Arts and Culture, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Retrieved August 1, 2024.