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{{Short description|A dominant agrarian Sinhala caste found in Sri Lanka}}
'''Govigama''' is the largest, highest and the most influential [[caste]] in Sri Lanka.
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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
Govigama belongs to the [[Vaishya]] varna of ancient Indic Varna System.This Caste has three different sub Divisions namely Radala(Rulers),Hamuduruwo(Local landlords) and Govi(Farmers).These Govi and the [[Bathgama]] have traditionally been responsible for cultivation in accordance with the traditional tenure system of land-holding known as Rajakariya (duty).
'''Govigama''' (also known as '''Goyigama''', '''Govikula''', '''Govi Vansa''' or '''Goyi Vansa''')<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Lion and the Sword: An Ethnological Study of Sri Lanka|last=Hussein|first=Asiff|date=2001-01-01|publisher=A. Hussein|isbn=9789559726203|pages=18|language=en}}</ref> is a [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] [[caste]] found in [[Sri Lanka]]. They form approximately half of the Sinhalese population and are traditionally involved in [[agriculture]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka|last=Peebles|first=Patrick|date=2015-10-22|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442255852|pages=65|language=en}}</ref> The term Govigama became popular during the last period of the Sinhalese [[Kingdom of Kandy]]. Its members have dominated and influenced national politics and [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Sinhalese Buddhism]] (particularly the [[Siam Nikaya]] sect).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Religion, Conflict and Peace in Sri Lanka: The Politics of Interpretation of Nationhoods|last=Fernando|first=Jude Lal|date=2013|publisher=LIT Verlag Münster|isbn=9783643904287|pages=141–142|language=en}}</ref>


Geographically Govigama is highly concentrated into Upcountry including [[Kandy]], [[Colombo]] and some other interior areas of low country. These Govi and the [[Bathgama]] have traditionally been responsible for cultivation in accordance with the traditional tenure system of land-holding known as Rājākariya, where the king granted land in exchange for services rendered.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Rājākariya - Sri Lankan history|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/rajakariya |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc|date=20 July 1998|access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref> The Govigama caste has several [[Endogamy|endogamous]] subdivisions which include the [[Radala]]s ([[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandyan aristocracy]]), Rate atto ([[Husbandman|husbandmen]]), [[Patti caste|Patti]] ([[shepherd]]s), Katupulle ([[Courier|messengers]] or [[clerk]]s), Nilamakkara (temple servants), Porovakara ([[wood cutter]]s), Vahal ([[Radala]] servants) and Gattara (Govigama [[outcaste]]).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PWbRAqsIJgIC&pg=PA201|title=A History of Sri Lanka|last1=Silva|first1=K. M. De|last2=M|first2=K.|date=2005|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9789558095928|page=202}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=British Administration in the Kandyan Provinces of Sri Lanka, 1815-1833, With Special Reference to Social Change.|last=Padmasiri|first=Kulasekera Mudiyanselage|publisher=University of London|year=1984|pages=23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Agrarian change in Sri Lanka|last1=Brow|first1=James|last2=Weeramunda|first2=Joe|date=1992|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=9780803994157|pages=74–75|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Sri Lanka: A Country Study|last=Nyrop|first=Richard F.|date=1985|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|volume=550|location=Washington University|pages=103|language=en}}</ref>
The Origin of Govi caste is believed to be from the Ancient Rohana Kingdom of Sri Lanka established by Shakyan Prince Rohana and his followers in 5th Century BCE.


== Etymology ==
[[File:Cultivators fishing.gif|thumb|right| An 18th-century etching of cultivators fishing in a reservoir during the dry season, from [[An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon]] by [[Robert Knox (sailor)|Robert Knox]](1641–1720)]]
The caste name is occupational derived. Govigama is derived from the [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] word ''Goyigama'' meaning farm-land, in reference to their traditional occupation as [[farmer]]s and land owners.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Spolia Zeylanica|date=1955|publisher=National Museums of Sri Lanka.|pages=209|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Sri Lanka Reader: History, Culture, Politics|last=Holt|first=John|date=2011-04-13|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=9780822349822|pages=296|language=en}}</ref> Early Sinhalese texts such as the 13th century ''Pujavaliya'' mention a caste system of the Sinhalese society; the Raja (rulers), Bamunu ([[Brahmin]]s), Velanda (traders) and the Govi (Farmers).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The Feast of the Sorcerer: Practices of Consciousness and Power|url=https://archive.org/details/feastsorcererpra00kapf|url-access=limited|last=Kapferer|first=Bruce|date=1997-10-15|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=9780226424132|pages=[https://archive.org/details/feastsorcererpra00kapf/page/n93 68]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=The cult of the goddess Pattini|last=Obeyesekere|first=Gananath|date=1984|isbn=9780226616025|location=University of Chicago Press|pages=[https://archive.org/details/cultofgoddesspat0000obey/page/116 116–117]|language=en|url=https://archive.org/details/cultofgoddesspat0000obey/page/116}}</ref> being the forward castes.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A history of Sri Lanka|last=De Silva|first=Kingsley M.|date=2005|publisher=Vijitha Yapa Publications|isbn=955-8095-92-3|edition=Revised|location=Colombo|oclc=470682746}}</ref>


The appellation Govi is probably derived from the Prakritic Gahapati which literally means 'householder'.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Society in mediaeval Ceylon : (The state of society in Ceylon as depicted in the Saddharmaratnāvaliya and other literature of the thirteenth century) : (2. print.)|last=Ariyapala, M. B.|date=1968|oclc=468778864}}</ref> We find in the 13th century Saddharma-Ratnāvaliya of Dharmasena, the Pali term {{transliteration|pi|gahapati}} being rendered as {{transliteration|pi|Govi gahapatika or Govi kulehi upan tänättō}}.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Jewels of the doctrine : stories of the Saddharma ratnāvaliya|last=Dharmasēna|first=Thera|date=1991|publisher=State University of New York Press|author2=Buddhaghosa|isbn=0-7914-0489-7|location=Albany|oclc=21147752}}</ref> Gahapati occurs in ancient Pali literature as the third ranking caste after the Khattiya and Brāhmaṇa and appears to have been synonymous with the Vessakula i.e. Vaiśya.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Caste in Sri Lanka : from ancient times to the present day|last=Hussein, Asiff|year=2013|isbn=978-955-0028-35-1|edition=1st|location=Battaramulla|publisher=Neptune Publications|oclc=863786412}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Zeylanica : a study of the peoples and languages of Sri Lanka|last=Hussein, Asiff.|date=2009|publisher=Neptune Publications|isbn=978-955-0028-04-7|edition=1st|location=Colombo|oclc=463682982}}</ref>
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== History ==


When it comes to the present day, it appears that the Govigama caste has transformed into a compound caste made out of all castes mentioned in Saddharma-Ratnāvaliya (raja, bamunu, velanda and govi) consisting of four sub-castes, Radalavaru (Governing elite), Mudaliperuwa (Knighted elite), Rate aththo (officers of state), and Goviyo( farmers).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pathfinderfoundation.org/pf-projects/on-going/economic-alert/44-land|title=Land|last=Tilakartna|first=Gayan|website=Pathfinder Foundation|language=pl|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The adaptable peasant : agrarian society in western Sri Lanka under Dutch rule, 1740–1800|last=Dewasiri|first=Nirmal Ranjith|date=2008|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-474-3282-1|location=Leiden|oclc=654684668}}</ref><ref name=Knox>{{Cite book|url=http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14346|title=An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape|last=Knox|first=Robert|date=2004-12-13|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=81-206-1846-7|oclc=57236571}}</ref>
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=== Occupation ===
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The Govigama are a caste<ref name="asiarecipe.com">[http://asiarecipe.com/sricaste.html Sri Lankan Caste System]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ywY_dN6ad8gC&pg=PA73&dq=Sanghamitta#v=onepage&q=Sanghamitta&f=false Castes & Tribes at the time of Sanghamitta (Populations of the Saarc Countries: Bio-Cultural Perspectives By Jayanta Sarkar, G. C. Ghosh, p.73)]</ref> whose traditional occupation is paddy cultivation, and they were the [[tenant farmers]] in the Sri Lankan [[feudal]] system. The Sinhalese caste system was based on the service to the king or 'raja kariya',<ref name="asiarecipe.com" /> and land ownership. The monarch owned all the lands of the island and Govigama people had the right to cultivate these lands at his behest. The contribution to rice production and service in royal service gave Govigama people the foremost role in the ancient agrarian society. Kings are said to have participated in harvesting festivals held end of each Yala (dry) and Maha (wet) season.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LjbN5ePfQuYC&pg=PA246 |title=The Adaptable Peasant |first=Nirmal Ranjith |last=Dewasiri |page=246}}</ref>


[[File:A peasant and a Govigama - tax collecting state offiiicial of sri lanka.jpg|alt=|thumb|An 18th-century illustration of a Hondrew (goyigama) officer of the kandyan king supervising a man extoring a fine, from [[An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon]] by [[Robert Knox (sailor)|Robert Knox]] (1641–1720)<ref name=Knox/><ref>{{Cite thesis|title=An historical relation of the Island Ceylon|publisher=The University of Hong Kong Libraries|first=Sarojini|last=Jayawickrama| year=1998 |doi=10.5353/th_b3123864}}</ref>]]
Rock Inscriptions of King Nishshankamalla are Considered as some of oldest mentions of Govi Wansha.
These Inscriptions give an idea about a tense situation wich was in between Nishshankamalla and Rohana Kingdom. Nishshankamalla erected these inscriptions along the boundary of Anuradhapura Kingdom and Rohana Kingdom advising Rohana People not to fight for the Throne of Anuradhapura.

In his Galpotha inscription he mentions that he belongs to the Kalinga royal dynasty of Prince Vijaya and has the right to be the king of Anuradhapura and No matter how powerful they are,Govi Wanshika people should not fight for the Throne of Anuradhapura.

"With the kindness towards the people of Sri Rohana,Who love to Live with wealth and Servants, don't get blamed from the people of Maya(Anuradhapura). Don't try to cliam the right of other's.
-Veerawila Gavutha Inscription

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In the present era, it has been the norm that the head of the country is a Govigama caste member, though President Premadasa was not. Some [[Anglican]] Govigama that turned [[Buddhist]] in the past century popularized the myth that the colonial occupiers, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British, tried to change Govi dominance by giving prominence to other castes by granting government posts and education under them. Yet the evidence points other wise and the post monarch colonial era saw the rise of the ordinary/majority caste populace. The [[Netherlands|Dutch]] and the [[United Kingdom|British]] introduced the ideas of [[Republicanism]].

However, some farmers other than rice farmers are not considered to be Govigama. A good example is the caste [[Salagama]]. Bathgama farmers are apparently a 'lesser' brand of rice farmer.

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=== Names ===
An important characteristic in the Sinhalese caste system is that the family name or the surname details the ancestry. The original name was given based on where one lived. Later, honorary terms, granted by the king based on a person's service to the kingdom, were added to the original name. This continued for generations and resulted in very long names. In general, ''Mudiyanselage'' , ''[[Appuhamy|Appuhamilage]]'' among up country people, and ''[[Arachchi]]lage'' , ''Vidanelage'' , ''Pathiranage'' among low country people, are considered to be names taken up by Govigama and others to improve their social standing, and these names were extended according to the ranking in the service of the kingdom. Further variations exist due to changes during the colonial period. Historic literature and inscriptional evidence from the feudal period show that this hierarchy prevailed throughout the feudal period until the collapse of Sri Lankan kingdoms and social structure under the onslaught of European colonialism. However, even in the present day, Sinhalese people look at surnames and ancestry when it comes to marriages.{{cn|date=September 2017}}

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As for name and religious conversions, Govigama families too became Christian and had Portuguese/Christian names (some strangely adopted during British/Dutch times) such as Don Davith (Rajapaksas)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/03/11/sri-lanka-revoke-british-governor%E2%80%99s-infamous-gazette-notification |accessdate=2016-12-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102192549/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/03/11/sri-lanka-revoke-british-governor%E2%80%99s-infamous-gazette-notification|title= The Rajapaksas and Ruhuna|archivedate=2 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>http://www.asiantribune.com/node/7175</ref>, Barthlamew (Senanayakes), Ridgeway Dias (Nilaperumal/Bandaranaykes), Arnolis Dep (Wijewardane), de Sarem, de Alwis, etc. It is also why all elite Lankans of the [[British Empire|British]] period be it farmer or other wise had English first names. The Goyigama also were pioneer [[arrack]] renters of the colonial era.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=o4K3AAAAIAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=goyigama+arrack+ Nobodies to somebodies: the rise of the colonial bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka] by Kumari Jayawardena (Zed Books) p.190-191 {{ISBN|1-84277-229-5}}</ref>

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=== Social status ===
In traditional Sinhalese society Buddhist monks are placed at the top. Irrespective of the birth caste of a monk, even the king had to worship him. However, this led to some Buddhist sects in Sri Lanka allowing only Govigama people to join, contrary to Buddha's instructions. Other castes such as Karava, Durava, Salagama and [[Wahumpura]] have their own Buddhist sects, but they do not impose any restrictions based on caste creed or race, upon anyone who wishes to join. These practices imposed by the Govigama-only sect against the wishes of the Buddha had brought a negative reputation of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, especially when the largest Buddhist converts today are the Indian [[Dalit]] community, a practice that had also been common in the history of Buddhism. Though largely overlooked, the Govigama caste have historically incorporated south Indian migrants.<ref name="JR">[http://sundaytimes.lk/010708/plus6.html ''J.R. Jayawardena family'' History of the Colombo Chetties, edited and compiled by Deshabandu Reggie Candappa, Reviewed by Anne Abayasekara (Sunday Times, 8 July 2001)]</ref><ref name="Betrayed">[https://books.google.com/books?id=3MO_86VwNSkC&pg=PA1 Buddhism Betrayed?: Religion, Politics, and Violence in Sri Lanka By Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah, p. 152-3]</ref><ref>[http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap01.html A SHORT HISTORY OF LANKA by Humphry William Codrington, CHAPTER I; THE BEGINNINGS 'The princess and her retinue/dowry (service castes)']</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&pg=PA19 'Pandyan retinue of Prince Vijaya': Sea: Our Saviour By K. Sridharan, p.19]</ref><ref>[http://www.island.lk/2008/07/20/features14.html Pre-Vijayan Agriculture in Sri Lanka, by Prof. T. W. Wikramanayake]</ref>


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== History ==
=== Ancient period ===
=== Ancient period ===
Ancient texts such as the ''Pujavaliya'', ''Sadharmaratnavaliya'' and ''Yogaratnakaraya'' list the four major classes as [[Raja]], Bamunu, Velanda, and Govi.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
Ancient texts such as the ''Pujavaliya'', ''Sadharmaratnavaliya'' and ''Yogaratnakaraya'' list the four major castes as [[Raja]] , Bamunu , Velanda , Govi. However, the current caste system in Sri Lanka disempowers the Raja, Bamunu, castes, and establishes the Govigama caste as the highest extant caste in the hierarchy (Govi, Karave, Durava, Salagama, etc.). The ''Pújavaliya''{{Citation needed|reason=page numbers |date=August 2012}} also says that a [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] could be been born into the Govi caste, as Govi caste was started by the Shakya Princess Badrakachchayana and he followers. ''Dampiyaatuvagetapadaya'' and the 12th-century ''Darmapradeepikava'' already state that the Govi caste is a middle caste compared to the kings. (Dampiyaatuvagetapadaya 217. Darmapradeepikava 190).
According to Indian Varna System Govi castes comes under the Vaishya warna.As there was no a Brahmin caste among Buddhist Sinhalese Vaishya Govi becomes the Superior caste next to Kshastriyas.Other ancient castes of aryans were labeled as Shudras.
Secondary castes such as Karava,Durava and Salagama are not mentioned in these texts since they were later [[Dravidian peoples|Dravidian]] migrants to Sri Lanka or small communities.Those castes were listed as lower castes than Govi Caste of Aryans automatically because of their Dravidian origin and they were categorised as Shudras.

Although modern writers have attempted to dismiss the above fourfold division as a mere classical division unconnected with reality, the repetition of the same caste hierarchy even as recently as the 18th century, in the [[United Kingdom|British]] / [[Kandyan]] period Kadayimpoth – Boundary books (Abhayawardena 163 to 168) as well, indicates the continuation of the tradition right up to the end of Sri Lanka’s monarchy or even further. It should be noted that no well known Karava / Salagama families existed in the Kandyan kingdom, the Govigama caste is considered as the highest caste in Sri Lanka as it is known as the one of the oldest caste of Aryans in Sri Lanka. The "Karava" caste considered second in Sri Lanka was the specialist mariners/navigators also some of them are brought to Sri Lanka as Dravidian warriors throughout history,<ref>[http://www.dlib.pdn.ac.lk:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/1044 Sinhalese Naval Power, C. W. Nicholas (1958)]</ref> the "Salagama" caste has its origin in Kerala as "Saligrama Brahmins" who are even today considered as among the highest castes in Kerala & the "Wahumpura" descending from the Deva ([[mountain people]]) of the Mahavamsa. Even though ancient literature such as "Pujavaliya" suggests that the Buddhas might be born in Govi Kula because of it's Shakya Origin.


=== Kandyan period ===
=== Kandyan period ===
For the past 1.700 years the only undisputed symbol of Sri Lankan Royalty and Leadership has been the sacred [[Tooth Relic]] of [[Gautama Buddha]]. Whosoever possessed this was acknowledged as the rightful ruler of Lanka, and thus the Tooth Relic was a possession exclusive to the ruling dynasty of Sri Lanka. Upon each change of capital, a new palace was built to enshrine the Relic. Finally, in 1595 it was brought to [[Kandy]] where it is at present, in the [[Temple of the Tooth]]. However, even in the land-locked [[Kandyan kingdom]] 'Unambuwe' a son of a concubine of some considerable background was deemed not of 'royalty', hence a [[Telugu people|Telugu]] of royalty was imported from [[Madurai]]. This last [[Kandyan]] royal dynasty (four kings) of Nayake origin was from the [[Balija]] caste<ref name="prenayak1">[[Bangaru Tirumala#Relationship with Kandy Nayaks|Pre-Nayake kings of Kandy (children of Kusuma Devi) and their marriages to south-Indian Nayakes]]</ref>{{full citation needed|date=September 2016}} Even King [[Senarat Adahasin of Sri Lanka|Senarat Adahasin]]'s [[regent]], Antonio Baretto [[Kuruvita Rala]], [[Prince]] of Ouva, was not from the Govi cast<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=sjJPZ-TUQzQC&q=antonio+baretto#v=onepage&q=antonio%20baretto&f=false/ Description of the Great and Most Famous Isle of Ceylon, Philip Baldaeus, p. 693-7]</ref><ref>[http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/dutch/dutch3.htm Ceylon of the Early Travellers, by H. A. J. Hulugalle (1965); 'Kuruwita Rala, a relative of our last royal Queen']</ref>
For the past 1,700 years the only undisputed symbol of Sri Lankan royalty and leadership has been the sacred [[Tooth Relic]] of [[Gautama Buddha]]. Whosoever possessed this was acknowledged as the rightful ruler of Lanka, and thus the Tooth Relic was a possession exclusive to the ruling dynasty of Sri Lanka. Upon each change of capital, a new palace was built to enshrine the Relic. Finally, in 1595 it was brought to [[Kandy]] where it is at present, in the [[Temple of the Tooth]]. However, even in the land-locked [[Kandyan kingdom]] 'Unambuwe' a son of a concubine of some considerable background was deemed not of 'royalty', hence a [[Telugu people|Telugu]] of royalty was imported from [[Madurai]]. This last [[Kandyan]] royal dynasty (four kings) of Nayake origin was from the [[Balija]] caste<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=A.Ramaswami |author2= |title=Madras District Gazetteers: Salem
|volume=1 |publisher=Director of Stationery and Print |year=1967|page=129|quote=They are popularly classed as kota balijas, who are military in origin and claim kinship with the Emperors and Viceroys of Vijayanagar and the Kandyan Dynasty.| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1u1AAAAIAAJ}}</ref><ref name="prenayak1">[[Bangaru Tirumala#Relationship with Kandy Nayaks|Pre-Nayake kings of Kandy (children of Kusuma Devi) and their marriages to south-Indian Nayakes]]</ref> Even King [[Senarat Adahasin of Sri Lanka|Senarat Adahasin]]'s [[regent]], Antonio Baretto [[Kuruvita Rala]], [[Prince]] of Ouva, was not from the Govi cast.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sjJPZ-TUQzQC&q=antonio+baretto/|title=A Description of the Great and Most Famous Isle of Ceylon|first=Philip|last=Baldaeus|date=9 November 1996|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-1172-6 |accessdate=9 November 2023|via=Google Books}}</ref>


The oldest [[Buddhist]] sect in Sri Lanka, the [[Siam Nikaya]] (established on 19 July 1753) are the custodians of the Tooth Relic, since its establishment during the [[Kandyan Kingdom]]. The Siam Nikaya uses caste-based divisions, and as of 1764 grants higher ordination only to the [[Radala]] and Govigama castes, excluding other castes from its numbers,<ref>[http://sikhspectrum.com/?s=Search+Sikh+Spectrum Two Great Needs of Buddhists]</ref> Sitinamaluwe Dhammajoti (Durawa) was the last non-Govigama monk to receive upasampada. This conspiracy festered within the Siam Nikaya itself and Moratota Dhammakkandha, Mahanayaka of Kandy, with the help of the last two Kandyan Telugu Kings victimised the low-country Mahanayaka Karatota Dhammaranma by confiscating the [[Adam's Peak|Sri Pada]] shrine and the retinue villages from the low country fraternity and appointing a rival Mahanayaka<ref>Buddhism in Sinhalese Society, 1750–1900: A Study of Religious Revival and.... By Kitsiri Malalgoda, p. 84-87 & 91</ref>
The oldest [[Buddhist]] sect in Sri Lanka, the [[Siam Nikaya]] (established on 19 July 1753) are the custodians of the Tooth Relic, since its establishment during the [[Kandyan Kingdom]]. The Siam Nikaya uses caste-based divisions, and as of 1764 grants higher ordination only to the Govigama caste, excluding other castes from its numbers,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sikhspectrum.com/?s=Search+Sikh+Spectrum|title=Suchergebnisse für "Search Sikh Spectrum" – Sikhspectrum|date=11 August 2023|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref> Sitinamaluwe Dhammajoti (Durawa) was the last non-Govigama monk to receive upasampada. This conspiracy festered within the Siam Nikaya itself and Moratota Dhammakkandha, Mahanayaka of Kandy, with the help of the last two Kandyan Telugu Kings victimised the low-country Mahanayaka Karatota Dhammaranma by confiscating the [[Adam's Peak|Sri Pada]] shrine and the retinue villages from the low country fraternity and appointing a rival Mahanayaka<ref>Buddhism in Sinhalese Society, 1750–1900: A Study of Religious Revival and.... By Kitsiri Malalgoda, p. 84-87 & 91</ref>


=== Current political power ===
=== Current political power ===
Non–Govigama representation in Parliament has steadily declined since independence and representation of non-Govigama castes are well below their population percentages. Caste representation in the [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]] has always been limited to a few very visible, but unconcerned and disconnected members from a few leading castes.<ref>[http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2009/12/fonseka-political-arrivistea-historical.html Fonseka, the political arriviste–a historical irony]</ref>
Non–Govigama representation in Parliament has steadily declined since independence and representation of non-Govigama castes are well below their population percentages. Caste representation in the [[Cabinet (government)|Cabinet]] has always been limited to a few very visible, but unconcerned and disconnected members from other castes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2009/12/fonseka-political-arrivistea-historical.html|title=Fonseka, the political arriviste–a historical irony|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref>


=== Religious Power ===
== Customs ==
By the mid 18th century, upasampada (higher ordination, as distinct from samanera or novice ordination) had become extinct in Sri Lanka again. The Buddhist order had become extinct thrice during the preceding five hundred years and was re-established in the reigns of Vimala Dharma Suriya I (1591–1604) and Vimala Dharma Suriya II (1687–1707) as well. These re-establishments were short lived. On the initiative of Ven. Weliwita Saranankara (1698–1778) the Thai monk Upali Thera visited Kandy during the reign of king Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747–1782) and once again reestablished the Buddhist order in Sri Lanka in 1753. It was called the Siyam Nikaya after the "Kingdom of Siam".


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=== Occupation ===
However in 1764, merely a decade after the re-establishment of the Buddhist order in Sri Lanka by reverend Upali, a group within the newly created Siyam Nikaya conspired and succeeded in restricting the Nikaya's higher ordination only to the Govigama caste. This was a period when Buddhist Vinaya rules had been virtually abandoned and some members of the Buddhist Sangha in the Kandyan Kingdom privately held land, had wives and children, resided in the private homes and were called Ganinnanses.[1] It was a period when the traditional nobility of the Kandyan Kingdom was decimated by continuous wars with the Dutch rulers of the Maritime Provinces. In the maritime provinces too a new order was replacing the old. Mandarampura Puvata, a text from the Kandyan perid, narrates the above radical changes to the monastic order and shows that it was not a unanimous decision by the body of the sangha. It says that thirty two ‘senior’ members of the Sangha who opposed this change were banished to Jaffna by the leaders of the reform.
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The Govigama are a landowning caste.<ref name="asiarecipe.com">{{Cite web|url=https://asian-recipe.com/|title=Asian Recipe|date=9 August 2022|website=asian-recipe.com|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ywY_dN6ad8gC&dq=Sanghamitta&pg=PA73|title=Populations of the SAARC Countries: Bio-cultural Perspectives|first1=Jayanta|last1=Sarkar|first2=G. C.|last2=Ghosh|date=9 November 2003|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-81-207-2562-1 |accessdate=9 November 2023|via=Google Books}}</ref> The Sinhalese caste system was based on the service to the king or 'raja kariya',<ref name="asiarecipe.com" /> and land ownership. The Govigama people had the right to cultivate and use the lands of the Sinhalese Kingdom at the behest of Sinhalese King. Their contribution to rice production, leadership in Buddhism and service in royal service gave Govigama people the foremost role in the ancient agrarian society in Sri Lanka. Kings are said to have participated in harvesting festivals held end of each Yala (dry) and Maha (wet) season.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LjbN5ePfQuYC&pg=PA246|title=The Adaptable Peasant|last=Dewasiri|first=Nirmal Ranjith|year=2008|page=246|publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-9004165083}}</ref>


⚫
In the present era, it has been a norm that the head of the country should be a Govigama caste member, though President Premadasa was not. Colonial occupiers, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British, tried to change Govigama dominance by giving prominence to other castes by granting government posts and education under them. However they were unable to change the caste hierarchy in traditional Sinhalese society. The [[Netherlands|Dutch]] and the [[United Kingdom|British]] introduced the ideas of [[Republicanism]].
The Govigama exclusivity of the Sangha thus secured in 1764 was almost immediately challenged by other castes who without the patronage of the King of Kandy or of the British, held their own upasampada ceremony at Totagamuwa Vihara in 1772. Another was held at Tangalle in 1798. Neither of these ceremonies were approved by the Siam Nikaya which claimed that these were not in accordance with the Vinaya rules. However, those ordained in Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar) were a continuation of Maha Vihara the ancient Theravada Sect from Anuradhapura because Burma obtained the ordination from Maha Vihara in Ceylon during the Anuradhapura Period. From time immemorial the sacred Tooth Relic of Gautama Buddha has been considered the symbol of the rulers of Sri Lanka. As time went on, the seat of the kingdom was moved from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, then to Dambadeniya and other cities. Upon each change of capital, a new palace was built to enshrine the Relic. Finally, it was brought to Kandy where it is at present, in the Temple of the Tooth. The oldest Buddhist sect in Sri Lanka, the Siam Nikaya (estd. 19 July 1753) are the custodians of the Tooth Relic, since its establishment during the Kandyan Kingdom. The Siyam Nikaya as of 1764 granted Higher ordination only to the Radala and Govigama castes[5], Sitinamaluwe Dhammajoti (Durava) being the last nongovigama monk receive upasampada[28] ,


⚫
=== Names ===
The caste based discrimination made many low caste people of Karava & Salagama people to become or remain Catholics & Anglicans. The Siyam Nikaya as custodians of the Tooth Relic have always received the full support and patronage of the Govigama dominated Sri Lankan State and its Ministers and Ministries of Buddha Sasana, Cultural Affairs and others, the lord Buddha's tooth relic by the Radala Govigama combination on caste.
An important characteristic in the Sinhalese caste system is that the family name or the surname details the ancestry. The original name was given based on where one lived. Later, honorary terms, granted by the king based on a person's service to the kingdom, were added to the original name. This continued for generations and resulted in very long names.
In General, Disawe, Mudiyanse, Adikari, Mahalekam, Appuhamy, Imiya raala, Nawaratne, Jayathilaka, Gunathilaka, Jayawardana, Wijayawardhana, Wijeyasundara, Udugampola, Gunawardhana, Siriwardhana, Abeywardhana, Abeysiriwardhana, Abeygunawardhana, Dharmawardhana, Bandaranayake, Dissanayake, Ekanayake, Gajanayaka, Kulatunga, Liyanage, Madawala, Rathnasinghe, Ranasinghe, Wijesinghe, Dunuwille, Dunusinghe, Wickramasinghe, Rajapaksha, Molamure, Meedeniya, Kiriella, Herath, Yapa, Unambuwe, Rekawa, Widanapathirana, Balasooriya, Iddamalgoda, Ganegoda, Halangoda, Kodagoda, Kobbakaduwa, Arachchi, Vidhane are considered to be names taken up by Govigama people, and these names were extended according to the ranking in the service of the kingdom. Further variations exist due to changes during the colonial period. Historic literature and inscriptional evidence from the feudal period show that this hierarchy prevailed throughout the feudal period until the collapse of Sri Lankan kingdoms and social structure under the onslaught of European colonialism. However, even in the present day, Sinhalese people look at surnames and ancestry when it comes to marriages.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Portuguese-Sri Lankan Surnames And Their Meanings|first=Roel|last=Raymond|date=27 February 2018|url=https://roar.media/english/life/history/portuguese-sri-lankan-surnames-and-their-meanings/|website=roar.media|access-date=2020-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The hybrid island : culture crossings and the invention of identity in Sri Lanka|date=2002|publisher=Zed Books|others=Silva, Neluka.|isbn=1-84277-202-3|location=London|oclc=48977638}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Identity, consciousness and the past : forging of caste and community in India and Sri Lanka|date=1997|publisher=Oxford University Press|others=Seneviratne, H. L., 1934-|isbn=0-19-564001-2|location=Delhi|oclc=37130224}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Under the bo tree; studies in caste, kinship, and marriage in the interior of Ceylon.|last=Yalman, Nur.|date=1967|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=0-520-02054-5|location=Berkeley|oclc=282805|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/underbotreestudi0000yalm}}</ref>


⚫
As for name and religious conversions, Govigama families too became Christian and had Portuguese/Christian names (some strangely adopted during British/Dutch times) such as Don Davith (Rajapaksas),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/03/11/sri-lanka-revoke-british-governor%E2%80%99s-infamous-gazette-notification|title=The Rajapaksas and Ruhuna|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102192549/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/03/11/sri-lanka-revoke-british-governor%E2%80%99s-infamous-gazette-notification|archivedate=2 January 2016|accessdate=2016-12-09|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/node/7175|title=None|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref> Barthlamew (Senanayakes), Ridgeway Dias (Nilaperumal/Bandaranaykes), Pererala, Arnolis Dep (Wijewardane), Corea, Ilangakoon, de Saa Bandaranaike, Obeyesekere, de Saram, Don Johannes(Padmawansha/Kumarage), de Alwis, etc. It is also why all elite Sri Lankans of the [[British Empire|British]] period be it farmer or other wise had English first names. The English first names were common among many not necessarily associated to Govigama. Some of the Goyigama such as the Bandaranayake also were pioneer [[arrack]] renters of the colonial era among many other castes.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=o4K3AAAAIAAJ&q=goyigama+arrack+ Nobodies to somebodies: the rise of the colonial bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka] by Kumari Jayawardena (Zed Books) p.190-191 {{ISBN|1-84277-229-5}}</ref>
Govigama sub-castes

⚫
=== Social status ===
In traditional Sinhalese society Buddhist monks are placed at the top. Irrespective of the birth caste of a monk, even the king had to worship him. However, this led to some Buddhist sects in Sri Lanka allowing only Govigama people to join, contrary to Buddha's instructions.
Other castes such as Karava, Durava, Salagama and [[Wahumpura]] have their own Buddhist sects. The Govigama sect also known as the Mahavihara Wanshika Siyam Order hold the custody of [[Sri Dalada Maligawa]] (The temple of the tooth) and the sacred tooth relic of Buddha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lakdiva.org.lk/codrington/chap01.html|title=Chapter I|website=lakdiva.org.lk|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&pg=PA19|title=Sea: Our Saviour|first=K.|last=Sridharan|date=9 November 2000|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-81-224-1245-1 |accessdate=9 November 2023|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/2008/07/20/features14.html|title=Pre-Vijayan Agriculture in Sri Lanka, by Prof. T. W. Wikramanayake|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref>


== Notable people ==
== Notable people ==
*[[Nicholas Dias Abeyesinghe Amarasekere]] - Maha Mudaliar of Dutch Ceylon<ref>[https://defonseka.com/front-page/reference/social-change-in-nineteenth-century-ceylon/ Social Change in Nineteenth Century Ceylon], pg 45, Patrick Peebles</ref>
*[[Nicholas Dias Abeyesinghe Amarasekere]] – Maha Mudaliar of Dutch Ceylon<ref>[https://defonseka.com/front-page/reference/social-change-in-nineteenth-century-ceylon/ Social Change in Nineteenth Century Ceylon], pg 45, Patrick Peebles</ref>
*[[Knight|Sir]] [[Solomon Dias Bandaranaike]] - Maha Mudaliar of British Ceylon<ref name=P/>
*[[Solomon Dias Bandaranaike]] – Maha Mudaliar of British Ceylon<ref name=P/>
*[[E. R. Gooneratne]] - Acting Maha Mudaliar and literary figure<ref>[https://books.google.lk/books?id=xgjH0GjmTeIC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false Exploring Confrontation; Sri Lanka:Politics, Culture & History], Pg166, Michael Roberts</ref>
*[[E. R. Gooneratne]] – Acting Maha Mudaliar and literary figure<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=xgjH0GjmTeIC Exploring Confrontation; Sri Lanka:Politics, Culture & History], Pg166, Michael Roberts</ref>
*[[John Kotelawala]] - Prime Minister of Ceylon <ref name=P>[http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=45079 Premadasa Exceptionalism and challenges it currently faces...]</ref>
*[[John Kotelawala]] – Prime Minister of Ceylon<ref name=P>{{Cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=45079|title=Premadasa Exceptionalism and challenges it currently faces...|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref>
*[[Solomon Bandaranaike|S.W.R.D Bandaranaike]] - Prime Minister of Ceylon<ref name=P/>
*[[Solomon Bandaranaike]] – Prime Minister of Ceylon<ref name=P/>
*[[Wijeyananda Dahanayake|Dr.Wijeyananda Dahanayake]] - Prime Minister of Ceylon <ref name=g>[http://infolanka.asia/sri-lanka/people/how-mrs-bandaranaike-became-prime-minister-in-1960/elections How Mrs. Bandaranaike became Prime Minister in 1960 - Elections]</ref>
*[[Wijeyananda Dahanayake]] – Prime Minister of Ceylon<ref name=g>{{Cite web|url=http://infolanka.asia/sri-lanka/people/how-mrs-bandaranaike-became-prime-minister-in-1960/elections|title=infolanka.asia|website=infolanka.asia|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref>
*[[Nissanka Wijeyeratne|Dr.Nissanka Wijeyeratne]] - [[Diyawadana Nilame]] and Cabinet Minister<ref>[http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2006/12/10/imp06.asp Saga of Nilame and Kumarihamy by Lakmal Welabada]. ''Sunday Observer'' (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 10 December 2006.</ref>
*[[Nissanka Wijeyeratne]] – [[Diyawadana Nilame]] and Cabinet Minister<ref>[http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2006/12/10/imp06.asp Saga of Nilame and Kumarihamy by Lakmal Welabada]. ''Sunday Observer'' (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 10 December 2006.</ref>
*[[Gamini Dissanayake]] - Cabinet Minister, MP & Presidential candidate <ref>
*[[Gamini Dissanayake]] – Cabinet Minister, MP & Presidential candidate<ref>

{{cite web
{{cite web
|title=Black July: A Note On Buddhism, Caste & The New Sinhalese Nationalism
|title=Black July: A Note on Buddhism, Caste & The New Sinhalese Nationalism
|access-date=12 June 2015
|date=7 August 2013
|access-date=12 June 2015
|url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/black-july-a-note-on-buddhism-caste-the-new-sinhalese-nationalism/}}
|url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/black-july-a-note-on-buddhism-caste-the-new-sinhalese-nationalism/}}
</ref>
</ref>
*[[Anura Kumara Dissanayake]] - 9th [[President of Sri Lanka|Executive President of Sri Lanka]] & Leader of [[National People's Power]]<ref>[https://len-official.blogspot.com/2024/06/blog-post_13.html මීලඟ ජනාධිපති උඩරටින්]. Lanka E News, Retrieved 13th June 2024</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Left-leaning leader wins Sri Lanka election in political paradigm shift |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyznjz3d78o}}</ref>
*[[Ruwan Wijewardene]] – State Minister, MP<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiffhussein.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Caste-in-Sri-Lanka1.pdf|title=Caste in Sri Lanka – From Ancient Times to the Present Day|accessdate=9 November 2023}}</ref>
*[[Sri Lankabhimanya]] [[Dingiri Banda Wijetunga]] - 4th [[President of Sri Lanka|Executive President of Sri Lanka]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=How D.B. Wijetunga became Executive President of Sri Lanka |url=https://island.lk/how-d-b-wijetunga-became-executive-president-of-sri-lanka/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=මීලඟ ජනාධිපති උඩරටින්...? |url=https://len-official.blogspot.com/2024/06/blog-post_13.html}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Radala]]
* [[Radala]]
* [[Koviyar]]
* [[Sri Lankan Mudaliyars]]
* [[Sri Lankan Mudaliyars]]
* [[Patti caste]]
* [[Patti caste]]
Line 80: Line 73:


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
Line 89: Line 82:
* Gammaduwa, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
* Gammaduwa, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
* Jayathilake D. B. Dambadeni Asna saha Kandavuru Siritha
* Jayathilake D. B. Dambadeni Asna saha Kandavuru Siritha
* Jayawardena Kumari 2000 Nobodies to Somebodies – The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka [http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1826/18260760.htm]
* Jayawardena Kumari 2000 Nobodies to Somebodies – The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka [http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1826/18260760.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181747/http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl1826/18260760.htm |date=30 September 2007 }}
* Journal of Asian Studies 1990 Articles by Patrick Peebles, Amita Shastri, Bryan Pfaffenberger
* Journal of Asian Studies 1990 Articles by Patrick Peebles, Amita Shastri, Bryan Pfaffenberger
* Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (JRASCB)
* Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (JRASCB)
Line 103: Line 96:
* Ummagga Játhakaya 1978 edition Educational Publications Department, Sri Lanka
* Ummagga Játhakaya 1978 edition Educational Publications Department, Sri Lanka
* Wickramasinghe Nira 2001 Civil Society in Sri Lanka: New circles of power
* Wickramasinghe Nira 2001 Civil Society in Sri Lanka: New circles of power
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}}


[[Category:Sinhalese castes]]
[[Category:Sinhalese castes]]

Latest revision as of 14:41, 6 January 2025

Govigama (also known as Goyigama, Govikula, Govi Vansa or Goyi Vansa)[1] is a Sinhalese caste found in Sri Lanka. They form approximately half of the Sinhalese population and are traditionally involved in agriculture.[2] The term Govigama became popular during the last period of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Kandy. Its members have dominated and influenced national politics and Sinhalese Buddhism (particularly the Siam Nikaya sect).[3]

Geographically Govigama is highly concentrated into Upcountry including Kandy, Colombo and some other interior areas of low country. These Govi and the Bathgama have traditionally been responsible for cultivation in accordance with the traditional tenure system of land-holding known as Rājākariya, where the king granted land in exchange for services rendered.[4] The Govigama caste has several endogamous subdivisions which include the Radalas (Kandyan aristocracy), Rate atto (husbandmen), Patti (shepherds), Katupulle (messengers or clerks), Nilamakkara (temple servants), Porovakara (wood cutters), Vahal (Radala servants) and Gattara (Govigama outcaste).[5][6][7][8]

Etymology

[edit]

The caste name is occupational derived. Govigama is derived from the Sinhala word Goyigama meaning farm-land, in reference to their traditional occupation as farmers and land owners.[9][10] Early Sinhalese texts such as the 13th century Pujavaliya mention a caste system of the Sinhalese society; the Raja (rulers), Bamunu (Brahmins), Velanda (traders) and the Govi (Farmers).[11][12] being the forward castes.[13]

The appellation Govi is probably derived from the Prakritic Gahapati which literally means 'householder'.[14] We find in the 13th century Saddharma-Ratnāvaliya of Dharmasena, the Pali term gahapati being rendered as Govi gahapatika or Govi kulehi upan tänättō.[15] Gahapati occurs in ancient Pali literature as the third ranking caste after the Khattiya and Brāhmaṇa and appears to have been synonymous with the Vessakula i.e. Vaiśya.[16][17]

When it comes to the present day, it appears that the Govigama caste has transformed into a compound caste made out of all castes mentioned in Saddharma-Ratnāvaliya (raja, bamunu, velanda and govi) consisting of four sub-castes, Radalavaru (Governing elite), Mudaliperuwa (Knighted elite), Rate aththo (officers of state), and Goviyo( farmers).[18][19][20]

An 18th-century illustration of a Hondrew (goyigama) officer of the kandyan king supervising a man extoring a fine, from An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon by Robert Knox (1641–1720)[20][21]

History

[edit]

Ancient period

[edit]

Ancient texts such as the Pujavaliya, Sadharmaratnavaliya and Yogaratnakaraya list the four major classes as Raja, Bamunu, Velanda, and Govi.[11][12]

Kandyan period

[edit]

For the past 1,700 years the only undisputed symbol of Sri Lankan royalty and leadership has been the sacred Tooth Relic of Gautama Buddha. Whosoever possessed this was acknowledged as the rightful ruler of Lanka, and thus the Tooth Relic was a possession exclusive to the ruling dynasty of Sri Lanka. Upon each change of capital, a new palace was built to enshrine the Relic. Finally, in 1595 it was brought to Kandy where it is at present, in the Temple of the Tooth. However, even in the land-locked Kandyan kingdom 'Unambuwe' a son of a concubine of some considerable background was deemed not of 'royalty', hence a Telugu of royalty was imported from Madurai. This last Kandyan royal dynasty (four kings) of Nayake origin was from the Balija caste[22][23] Even King Senarat Adahasin's regent, Antonio Baretto Kuruvita Rala, Prince of Ouva, was not from the Govi cast.[24]

The oldest Buddhist sect in Sri Lanka, the Siam Nikaya (established on 19 July 1753) are the custodians of the Tooth Relic, since its establishment during the Kandyan Kingdom. The Siam Nikaya uses caste-based divisions, and as of 1764 grants higher ordination only to the Govigama caste, excluding other castes from its numbers,[25] Sitinamaluwe Dhammajoti (Durawa) was the last non-Govigama monk to receive upasampada. This conspiracy festered within the Siam Nikaya itself and Moratota Dhammakkandha, Mahanayaka of Kandy, with the help of the last two Kandyan Telugu Kings victimised the low-country Mahanayaka Karatota Dhammaranma by confiscating the Sri Pada shrine and the retinue villages from the low country fraternity and appointing a rival Mahanayaka[26]

Current political power

[edit]

Non–Govigama representation in Parliament has steadily declined since independence and representation of non-Govigama castes are well below their population percentages. Caste representation in the Cabinet has always been limited to a few very visible, but unconcerned and disconnected members from other castes.[27]

Customs

[edit]

Occupation

[edit]

The Govigama are a landowning caste.[28][29] The Sinhalese caste system was based on the service to the king or 'raja kariya',[28] and land ownership. The Govigama people had the right to cultivate and use the lands of the Sinhalese Kingdom at the behest of Sinhalese King. Their contribution to rice production, leadership in Buddhism and service in royal service gave Govigama people the foremost role in the ancient agrarian society in Sri Lanka. Kings are said to have participated in harvesting festivals held end of each Yala (dry) and Maha (wet) season.[30]

In the present era, it has been a norm that the head of the country should be a Govigama caste member, though President Premadasa was not. Colonial occupiers, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British, tried to change Govigama dominance by giving prominence to other castes by granting government posts and education under them. However they were unable to change the caste hierarchy in traditional Sinhalese society. The Dutch and the British introduced the ideas of Republicanism.

Names

[edit]

An important characteristic in the Sinhalese caste system is that the family name or the surname details the ancestry. The original name was given based on where one lived. Later, honorary terms, granted by the king based on a person's service to the kingdom, were added to the original name. This continued for generations and resulted in very long names. In General, Disawe, Mudiyanse, Adikari, Mahalekam, Appuhamy, Imiya raala, Nawaratne, Jayathilaka, Gunathilaka, Jayawardana, Wijayawardhana, Wijeyasundara, Udugampola, Gunawardhana, Siriwardhana, Abeywardhana, Abeysiriwardhana, Abeygunawardhana, Dharmawardhana, Bandaranayake, Dissanayake, Ekanayake, Gajanayaka, Kulatunga, Liyanage, Madawala, Rathnasinghe, Ranasinghe, Wijesinghe, Dunuwille, Dunusinghe, Wickramasinghe, Rajapaksha, Molamure, Meedeniya, Kiriella, Herath, Yapa, Unambuwe, Rekawa, Widanapathirana, Balasooriya, Iddamalgoda, Ganegoda, Halangoda, Kodagoda, Kobbakaduwa, Arachchi, Vidhane are considered to be names taken up by Govigama people, and these names were extended according to the ranking in the service of the kingdom. Further variations exist due to changes during the colonial period. Historic literature and inscriptional evidence from the feudal period show that this hierarchy prevailed throughout the feudal period until the collapse of Sri Lankan kingdoms and social structure under the onslaught of European colonialism. However, even in the present day, Sinhalese people look at surnames and ancestry when it comes to marriages.[31][32][33][34]

As for name and religious conversions, Govigama families too became Christian and had Portuguese/Christian names (some strangely adopted during British/Dutch times) such as Don Davith (Rajapaksas),[35][36] Barthlamew (Senanayakes), Ridgeway Dias (Nilaperumal/Bandaranaykes), Pererala, Arnolis Dep (Wijewardane), Corea, Ilangakoon, de Saa Bandaranaike, Obeyesekere, de Saram, Don Johannes(Padmawansha/Kumarage), de Alwis, etc. It is also why all elite Sri Lankans of the British period be it farmer or other wise had English first names. The English first names were common among many not necessarily associated to Govigama. Some of the Goyigama such as the Bandaranayake also were pioneer arrack renters of the colonial era among many other castes.[37]

Social status

[edit]

In traditional Sinhalese society Buddhist monks are placed at the top. Irrespective of the birth caste of a monk, even the king had to worship him. However, this led to some Buddhist sects in Sri Lanka allowing only Govigama people to join, contrary to Buddha's instructions. Other castes such as Karava, Durava, Salagama and Wahumpura have their own Buddhist sects. The Govigama sect also known as the Mahavihara Wanshika Siyam Order hold the custody of Sri Dalada Maligawa (The temple of the tooth) and the sacred tooth relic of Buddha.[38][39][40]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hussein, Asiff (1 January 2001). The Lion and the Sword: An Ethnological Study of Sri Lanka. A. Hussein. p. 18. ISBN 9789559726203.
  2. ^ Peebles, Patrick (22 October 2015). Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 65. ISBN 9781442255852.
  3. ^ Fernando, Jude Lal (2013). Religion, Conflict and Peace in Sri Lanka: The Politics of Interpretation of Nationhoods. LIT Verlag Münster. pp. 141–142. ISBN 9783643904287.
  4. ^ "Rājākariya - Sri Lankan history". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 20 July 1998. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  5. ^ Silva, K. M. De; M, K. (2005). A History of Sri Lanka. Penguin Books India. p. 202. ISBN 9789558095928.
  6. ^ Padmasiri, Kulasekera Mudiyanselage (1984). British Administration in the Kandyan Provinces of Sri Lanka, 1815-1833, With Special Reference to Social Change. University of London. p. 23.
  7. ^ Brow, James; Weeramunda, Joe (1992). Agrarian change in Sri Lanka. Sage Publications. pp. 74–75. ISBN 9780803994157.
  8. ^ Nyrop, Richard F. (1985). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Vol. 550. Washington University: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 103.
  9. ^ Spolia Zeylanica. National Museums of Sri Lanka. 1955. p. 209.
  10. ^ Holt, John (13 April 2011). The Sri Lanka Reader: History, Culture, Politics. Duke University Press. p. 296. ISBN 9780822349822.
  11. ^ a b Kapferer, Bruce (15 October 1997). The Feast of the Sorcerer: Practices of Consciousness and Power. University of Chicago Press. pp. 68. ISBN 9780226424132.
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  23. ^ Pre-Nayake kings of Kandy (children of Kusuma Devi) and their marriages to south-Indian Nayakes
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  27. ^ "Fonseka, the political arriviste–a historical irony". Retrieved 9 November 2023.
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  43. ^ Exploring Confrontation; Sri Lanka:Politics, Culture & History, Pg166, Michael Roberts
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  47. ^ මීලඟ ජනාධිපති උඩරටින්. Lanka E News, Retrieved 13th June 2024
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  51. ^ "මීලඟ ජනාධිපති උඩරටින්...?".

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Abhayawardena H. A. P. Kadaim Poth Vimarshanaya, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
  • H. W. Codrington, Ancient land tenure and revenue in Ceylon
  • Darmapradeepikava Sri Dharmarama edition, 1951
  • Epigraphia Zeylanica (EZ) Colombo Museum, Sri Lanka
  • Gammaduwa, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
  • Jayathilake D. B. Dambadeni Asna saha Kandavuru Siritha
  • Jayawardena Kumari 2000 Nobodies to Somebodies – The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka [1] Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  • Journal of Asian Studies 1990 Articles by Patrick Peebles, Amita Shastri, Bryan Pfaffenberger
  • Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (JRASCB)
  • Kumaratunga Munidasa 1958 Parevi Sandeshaya
  • Niti Nighanduva The vocabulary of law 1880 LeMasurier C. J. R. and Panabokke T. B.
  • Peebles Patrick 1995 Social Change in Nineteenth Century Ceylon Navrang ISBN 81-7013-141-3.
  • Pfaffenberger Bryan 1982 Sudra Domination in Sri Lanka Syracuse University
  • Pujavaliya
  • Roberts Michael Caste conflict and elite formation
  • Sahithyaya 1972 Department of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
  • Sarpavedakama Colombo Museum publication, 1956
  • Sri Lankáve Ithihásaya Educational Publications Department Sri Lanka
  • Ummagga Játhakaya 1978 edition Educational Publications Department, Sri Lanka
  • Wickramasinghe Nira 2001 Civil Society in Sri Lanka: New circles of power
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