The Ahikuntaka

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The Ahikuntaka caste system in Sri Lanka
The entire gypsy population of the country, despite
being limited to around 1000 families have within
them a unique caste hierarchical system. During previous
generations, the caste system was considered important
and had an enormous bearing on marriages, similar to
that of rural Sri Lankan society. However, the present day
gypsies seems to have broken the shackles that had them
restricted even within themselves, with social and economic
factors taking more central roles in their lives. Nevertheless,
to date, the ‘high’ or ‘low’ caste differentiation exists within
the community, when deciding on vital matters. The origins
of this caste hierarchy can be traced back to their relatives in
India who pay great emphasis to this factor.
Speaking to us during the research, a member of the gypsy
community Andarabedde Masanna Arachchila, explained
that the caste system had two distinct differences, namely
‘Dugudoru’ and ‘Thapaloru’ which translates as ‘high’ and
‘low’. The Dugudorus have four sub clans and the Thapalorus
have five sub clans into which the entire community is
divided. These sub clans are divided according to their
hereditary professions, much like the rural Sinhala folk. The
higher castes have the more prestigious duties, as cultivation
and decoration of marriage festivals and brides. The lower
castes have relatively less prestigious duties including washing
clothes or cutting the hair of community members. The
laundry and barber duties being considered low are common
among the neighboring Sinhala folk as well.
Upon inspection, the roots of these castes seems to have
been divided based somewhat on their profession and their
appearance. This however is a general view and cannot be
used as an indication for all castes. One strain emanates from
the hereditary profession of the members and the other, is
the physical appearance of a set of members of a certain caste.
Band playing and dancing at weddings is exclusively the duty
of the ‘Burakaya Dugadoru’ tribe, while decorating weddings,
jewellery making are the responsibility of the ‘Kunchammaru
Dugadoru’ caste. Members of the Yaara Thapaloru caste
are known as gypsies with ‘red skin’. However, whether this
distinction is actually based on the colour of their skin or
whether it is based on their profession – dealing in animal
skins – is yet to be determined.
Many older members of the gypsy community would swear
by the fact that they were exclusively nomadic, moving from
one village to another, with no permanent residence. Except
for migrating from village to village, exhibiting their snakes,
there is no evidence to suggest that the gypsies took refuge
in a certain place and practiced another craft. According to
many elders, the caste hierarchy was strongly prevalent until
the early 1990’s and subsequent to the Christian missionary
involvement which resulted in conversions; the impact of the
caste system seems to have dwindled.
24 The Ahikuntaka
The Ahikuntaka caste system in Sri Lanka