3. Caste in Sri Lanka [Asiff Hussein]

Book Details

ISBN : 978-955-0028-35-1
Author : Asiff Hussein
Translator :
Publisher : Neptune Publications
Printed by : Printel
Language : English
Pages :  488  Size : 148 x 210 mm      Weight (kg) : 0.430
E_Book : Available
Web :

Description :

Caste in Sri Lanka : From Ancient Times to the Present Day

By Asiff Hussein

Published by: Neptune Publications (Pvt) Ltd; pp: 420 pages with 20 pages of photographs. Available at all leading bookshops. Price Rs.1500

Caste in Sri Lanka. From ancient Times to the present Day covers Sri Lanka’s caste system as it exists, and existed among the different communities of Sri Lanka. It is a multi-disciplinary study taking into consideration historical evidence, folklore, onomastics and physical anthropology among other disciplines. It is by far the most comprehensive work written on the subject.

The topics covered include The Origin and Evolution of Caste, The Evolution of Caste in India, Sinhalese Caste Groups, Tamil Caste Groups and the little known Muslim Barber Caste known as the Osta. The Sinhalese caste groups dealt with comprise of no less than 25 distinct group, Tamil caste groups number over 30 distinct groups and there is the case of the solitary Moor Barber caste known as the Osta who practice circumcision.

The work is a treasure trove of information on this little known subject, dealing as it does with the origins, history, folklore, past and present settlements, traditional and contemporary occupations, clans, family names including patronymic ge-names and many other interesting aspects of the social life of each of these groups.

The book is a must-read for all those interested in the ethnology of Sri Lanka and the diverse peoples that make up this small but beautiful country.