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Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of Social Stratification . Though historically and geographically widespread, the most well-known caste system today is the Indian Caste System . The word ''casts'' (Sanskrit: Gyati ज्ञाति , Hindi: Biradari बिरादरी, samaj समाज, jati जाति etc , Urdu Zat ज़ात ) is derived from the Portuguese word ''casta'', meaning "lineage", the corresponding Sanskrit word is ''jati'' meaning a birth based classification. Anthropologists use the term more generally to refer to a social group that is Endogamous and Occupationally specialized; such groups are common in highly stratified societies with a very low degree of social mobility. In the broadest sense, some caste-based societies include South Africa during the era of Apartheid , the Antebellum South of the United States until the Civil Rights Movement , colonial Latin America under Spanish and Portuguese rule (see Casta ), and India prior to 1947. However, a difference arises when comparing caste-like systems in other countries to India. In the other countries, the separation between one group and the other was usually along racial lines. Within India, the lines were more blurred. Major castes were subdivided into hundreds of sub-castes or Jatis. For example, in Tamil Nadu state of South India , castes based on occupation might have resembled: Carpenters as Asari, goldsmiths as Thattar, coppersmiths as Muusaari, ironsmiths as Karuvar, washerwomen as Ambattar, and coblers as Parayar and so on. Usually, these similarities in occupation echoed within similar ethnic groups that shared the same language and traditions. Endogamous marriage (including polyandry) and other association within caste was strongly enforced. In the past, some castes would not allow other caste members to touch them, and would have washed themselves or their possessions if they had been touched by someone from a "lower" caste. Based on the caste system there was also a practice to define the physical distance one should keep from persons of another caste. As a result of this, children who attended a school where children of lower castes were present had to bathe in running water before returning home. In some parts of the world and India this type of caste discrimination is still practiced. Jati
INDIAN CASTE SYSTEM See Also: Indian caste system Modern perceptions of caste While the Vedas mention only four main Varnas , pre-independence (1947) India had numerous sub-castes or '' Jati s'' within each Varna . While still evident, these jatis are fast losing their influence with the rapid urbanization and education of India's largely rural, agrarian population. Jatis are, however, still officially documented through the Census , primarily to determine those deserving Reservation (an Affirmative Action process). Caste-based Politics have strong roots in many Indian states. Similar to the Christian concept of Excommunication , there are numerous instances where individuals lost their ''Jati'' due to misdeed on their part. It is a misconception that converts are now essentially freed of the caste system and on an equal social footing with others, regardless of their birth or education. The tribal identification remains despite conversion to other religions. For example, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh , Dr. Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy Yeduguri ( Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ), is a Reddy Christian , while Professor Ilaiah Kanche belongs to a Golla / Kuruma Christian . Matrimony between members of different castes is not rare, but is not very frequent. The same can be said of inter-religious marriages. Mahatma Gandhi championed the cause of the Untouchables or Dalits and began India's attempts to integrate them into society, coining the term Harijan s ("people of God"). The Indian Constitution has tough laws against discrimination on the basis of caste. There is a policy for the socio-economic upliftment of the former outcasts, by the provision of Education , reservation of admission seats in institutions for higher education, and a 12.5% Quota in Government jobs with fast-track promotions. Certain states in India have a reservation of over 70%. This policy has often been challenged in courts, and through mass protests. Dr. BR Ambedkar fought for the lower caste's and forced government of India to come up with reservation system for the welfare of lower caste's. Anti-reservation activists allege that the process, which they argue is politically motivated, artificially fosters jati-based divisions and runs counter to a meritocracy. Pro-reservation activists counter that the system helps in upliftment of the lower castes and needs to be in place until all sections achieve an equal status in the Indian society. NEPALESE CASTE SYSTEM The caste system in Nepal can be traced back to the introduction of Muluki Ain (1854) by Jung Bahadur Rana after his return from his European tour. The Muluki Ain (1854) was a written version of social code that had been in practice for several centuries in Nepal. Its caste categories diverged from the four varnas of the classical Vedic model and instead had three categories to accommodate the tribal peoples between the pure and impure castes. These were further classified into five hierarchies with the following order precedence. (Harka Gurung 2005:3,Occational Papers in Sociology and Anthropology)
The above mentioned categories imply that Thagadhari (Wearer of holy chord) remains in the highest hierarchy in the Nepali caste system followed by Matwali, (Non-enslavable alcohol-drinkers) and enslavable alcohol drinkers touchable caste and lastly untouchable. Muluki Ain imposes the caste system in Nepal in order to incorporate people of different origin and bring them under one umbrella of the caste system. The first categories of Thagadhari, which include Parbate Brahmin and Chettri, are in the higher categories of hierarchy whereas Brahmins of Terai and Newari Brahmin as per Muluki Ain do not fall under these categories. Matwali group, enslavable and non-enslavable falls under second categories, which include the people of ethnic origin and Brahmins of Terai and Newari Brahmins. It also includes those people in the non-enslavable group such as Magar, Gurung, Rai, and Limbu etc and enslavable are Tamang, Chepang, Thami etc. Untouchable are the categories of varnas system in ancient Manu's Code but some people such as Musalman and foreigners as well fall into these categories. Untouchables are divided into Pani nachalne choichoto halnu naparne, (Impure but touchable castes) and Pani nachalne chiochoti halnu parne, (Impure and Untouchable castes). In present day context, the caste system falls under Hindu varna system i.e, Brahmin, Khatria Vaisias and Sudra respectively instead of following Muluki Ain's codification, as ethnic groups do not follow the caste system because they have their own culture, tradition, religion and values which do not fall under the caste system. SRI LANKAN CASTE SYSTEM See Also: Caste in Sri Lanka Sri Lankan system resembles that of the South Indian Jati system with numerous Jati divisions. BALINESE CASTE SYSTEM See Also: Balinese caste system Balinese caste system resembles in the Indian system with a four fold division of society. YEMEN CASTE SYSTEM See Also: Caste system in Yemen In Yemen there exists a caste like system that keeps Al-Akhdam Social Group as the perenial manual workers for the society through violence. CASTES IN ANCIENT ISRAEL Something akin to the caste system was also found in Judaism (during the Temple period), which divided its society into the inherited Cohanim priesthood, who, due to their Temple duties, had access to most parts of the Temple, Levites , whose auxiliary duties allowed them somewhat less access than the Cohanim, and the rest of the Israelites , whose involvement in the Temple was lesser than the Levites. This "caste system" had mostly ritualistic ramifications, and the social side-effects were very limited and far lesser than those found in the Hindu caste system, which entailed almost complete social separation and a clear social hierarchy. Intermarriage was allowed within the Israelite people, with rare exception (such as the prohibition against a Cohen marrying a divorcee), and the Israelites were prohibited only from marrying outside their own people. This Israelite "caste system" continued along lines of Patrilineal Descent . Converts to the Israelite people were considered full Israelites, and Mosaic law demanded that they be treated kindly and with special sensitivity. In contemporary Judaism, despite the absence of the Temple, certain ritual laws continue to apply to Cohanim, and both they and the Levites are honored with deferential formalities in some rituals.. CASTES IN AFRICA Countries in Africa who have societies with caste systems within their borders include Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Nigeria, Chad, Ethiopia and Somalia. The Osu caste system in Nigeria and northern Cameroon , can be traced back to an indigenous religious belief system, practiced within the Igbo nation. It is the belief of many Igbo traditionalists that the Osus are people historically owned by deities, and are therefore considered to be a 'living sacrifice', an outcaste, untouchable and sub-human. Caste systems in Somali outcaste Midgan-Madhiban, Yibir, Tumal and other groups deemed to be impure. The outcaste clans do not descend from the Arabic-origin ancestors of the political powerful noble caste, such as the Darood, Hawiye and Isaak clans, and are traditionally forbidden to socialize with others in Somali society, have no access to public wells and other water sources, cannot own land and are not allowed to live in villages. Among the Mande societies in Senegal , Gambia , Guinea , Sierra Leone , Liberia , Ivory Coast , and Ghana people are divided by occupation and ethnic ties. The highest hierarchy in the Mande caste system, the Horon (nobles/freeborn), are traditionally comprised of farmers, fisherman, warriors and animal breeders, the lowest caste are the Jonow, a "slave" caste, made up of people whose ancestors were enslaved by other Africans during tribal wars. The Wolof hierarchical caste system in Senegal is divided into three main groups, the Geer (freeborn/nobles), jaam (slaves and slave descendents) and the outcasted neeno (people of caste). The caste system found amongst the Borana in North Eastern Kenya is divided into four distinct castes. At the top, there are Borana Gutu (Pure), followed by Gabra, then Sakuye, and Watta, a traditional hunter-gatherer caste, being the last. The Watta are condemned to life-long servitude for members of the higher castes. Among the Tuareg societies found in Burkina Faso , Mali and Niger , exists a similar caste system, where the Bellah slave caste is treated as slaves to other castes. In Rwanda , Burundi and eastern Congo it is known as ''ubuhake''. The Tutsi , who comprise about 15% of the population of these areas, were the ruling, Cattle-owning caste - corresponding to the "Kshatriyas" in the Vedic system. Below them were the Hutu , the farmers - corresponding with the Vedic ''Sudras''; about 80% of the population. Fewer than 3% of the population are Twa or Pygmies , who occupy a position similar to that of 'tribals' in the Indian system. During the German suzerainty over Rwanda and Burundi, the authorities reinforced the system by employing Tutsis in hegemonic roles. The Belgian colonialists who succeeded them after World War I continued this policy, instituting 'ethnic' identity cards. They also incorporated subsidiary populations, such as the Hima and the Baganwa , into the Tutsi. After independence, tensions intensified. In 1972 , Tutsis were responsible for a wholesale massacre of Hutus. In the 1990s , Hutus responded with counter-massacres. SEE ALSO
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