Gora (racial epithet): Difference between revisions
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Although the word distinctly means "yellowish", it is sometimes used informally to include any light-skinned person, whether light-brown, yellow or even white. In place names that date back to the colonial era - there are a number of graveyards in Pakistan such as the Gora Qabristan (the lighter-skinned graveyard) in [[Peshawar]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/050612/dmag7.htm A vanishing landmark]</ref> the Gora Kabrastan in [[Karachi]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/archive/031002/review6.htm Grave business]</ref> as well as one in [[Chillianwala]], the site of a [[Battle of Chillianwala|famous battle]] involving the [[British East India Company]].<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/030824/dmag11.htm Battlefields of Chillianwallah]</ref> |
Although the word distinctly means "yellowish", it is sometimes used informally to include any light-skinned person, whether light-brown, yellow or even white. In place names that date back to the colonial era - there are a number of graveyards in Pakistan such as the Gora Qabristan (the lighter-skinned graveyard) in [[Peshawar]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/050612/dmag7.htm A vanishing landmark]</ref> the Gora Kabrastan in [[Karachi]],<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/archive/031002/review6.htm Grave business]</ref> as well as one in [[Chillianwala]], the site of a [[Battle of Chillianwala|famous battle]] involving the [[British East India Company]].<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/030824/dmag11.htm Battlefields of Chillianwallah]</ref> |
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According to the ''Natyasastra'', an Indian text, the term refers to "yellowish-reddish".<ref>''Studies in the Nāṭyaśāstra : with special reference to the Sanskrit drama in performance'', G.H. Tārḷekar, p. 138</ref> Because of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's explicitly yellow skin, he was termed "Gauranga".<ref> P. 52 ''Chaitanya Mahaprabhu'' By Prem Lata </ref> |
According to the ''Natyasastra'', an Indian text, the term refers to "yellowish-reddish".<ref>''Studies in the Nāṭyaśāstra : with special reference to the Sanskrit drama in performance'', G.H. Tārḷekar, p. 138</ref> Because of Sri [[Chaitanya]] Mahaprabhu's explicitly yellow skin, he was termed "Gauranga".<ref> P. 52 ''Chaitanya Mahaprabhu'' By Prem Lata </ref> |
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==Usage in Britain and among anglophones on the Subcontinent== |
==Usage in Britain and among anglophones on the Subcontinent== |
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Revision as of 01:08, 12 May 2011
Gora (or gaura) is a South Asian adjective for a yellow-skinned or light-brown person, whether Indian, Pakistani or from other regions. The word literally means "white" or "fair-skinned" in Indo-Aryan languages like Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu), and Punjabi.
Although the word distinctly means "yellowish", it is sometimes used informally to include any light-skinned person, whether light-brown, yellow or even white. In place names that date back to the colonial era - there are a number of graveyards in Pakistan such as the Gora Qabristan (the lighter-skinned graveyard) in Peshawar,[1] the Gora Kabrastan in Karachi,[2] as well as one in Chillianwala, the site of a famous battle involving the British East India Company.[3]
According to the Natyasastra, an Indian text, the term refers to "yellowish-reddish".[4] Because of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's explicitly yellow skin, he was termed "Gauranga".[5]
Usage in Britain and among anglophones on the Subcontinent
The term gora is often used by British Asians and among English-speaking South Asians in the Subcontinent to refer to white people, the feminine form being gori.[6] The plural term gore is also used to refer to white people of both genders. In this form it has taken on racial connotations so has acquired the status of a slur, though it is not inherently pejorative.
References
- ^ A vanishing landmark
- ^ Grave business
- ^ Battlefields of Chillianwallah
- ^ Studies in the Nāṭyaśāstra : with special reference to the Sanskrit drama in performance, G.H. Tārḷekar, p. 138
- ^ P. 52 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu By Prem Lata
- ^ The Independent, 1 April 2004
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