Nalavar

A Sri Lankan Tamil caste traditionally involved in toddy tapping found in Sri Lanka

Nalavar (Tamil: நளவர், romanized: Naḷavar) is a Tamil caste found in Sri Lanka. They were traditionally occupied in palm tree climbing and toddy tapping.[1]

## Etymology[edit]

According to a folk etymology is the name Nalavar a corrupted form of Naluvinavar (those who decamped), which they gained after withdrawing from a battle field.[2] Another theory suggest the name is derived from Nalua meaning to climb, in reference to their traditional occupation.[3]

It has also been proposed that the name is derived from Naravar (from Naravu, ancient Tamil term for toddy).[4]

## History[edit]

According to Yalpana Vaipava Malai were the Nalavars originally called Nambis who originally Vanniar chieftains and served as bowmen.[5] A former subdivision among them were known as Kottai Vayil Nalavar i.e. "Nalavars in service of the fort".[4]

Under the Dutch Ceylon was the Thesavalamai law codified.[6] This law allowed landlords to have slaves, and the Nalavars were also employed as agriculture labors, and were classified along with the Koviar and Pallar under the term Adimai (slave).[7][8]

## Customs[edit]

The badge and cattle brand mark of the Nalavars is the bow and arrow.[9] The Nalavar along with the Pallar worship Annamar, their caste deity.[10]

## See also[edit]

* Caste system in Sri Lanka

## References[edit]

1. ^ McGilvray, Dennis B. (1974). Tamils and Moors: caste and matriclan structure in eastern Sri Lanka. University of Chicago. p. 176.
2. ^ Pillay, Kolappa Pillay Kanakasabhapathi (1963). South India and Ceylon. University of Madras. p. 161.
3. ^ Tambiah, Henry Wijayakone (2001). The Laws and Customs of the Tamils of Jaffna. Women's Education & Research Centre. p. 77\. ISBN 9789559261162.
4. ^ a b Ph.D. Ragupathy, Ponnampalam (1987). Early Settlements in Jaffna: An Archaeological Survey. University of Jaffna: Thillimalar Ragupathy. p. 210.
5. ^ Pulavar, Mātakal Mayilvākan̲ap (1999). The Yalpana-vaipava-malai, Or, The History of the Kingdom of Jaffna. Asian Educational Services. p. 34\. ISBN 9788120613621.
6. ^ University of Ceylon Review. University of Ceylon. 1952. p. 34.
7. ^ Raghavan 1971, p. 109.
8. ^ Wilson, A. Jeyaratnam (2000). Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism: Its Origins and Development in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. Hurst. p. 21\. ISBN 978-1-85065-519-0.
9. ^ Raghavan, M. D. (1971). Tamil culture in Ceylon: a general introduction. Kalai Nilayam. p. 179.
10. ^ Pfaffenberger, Bryan (1977). Pilgrimage and Traditional Authority in Tamil Sri Lanka. University of California, Berkeley. p. 136.

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