Govigama

Govigama (also known as Goyigama, Govikula, Govi Vansa or Goyi Vansa)[1] is a Sinhalese caste found in Sri Lanka. They form approximately half of the Sinhalese population and are traditionally involved in agriculture.[2] The term Govigama became popular during the last period of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Kandy. Its members have dominated and influenced national politics and Sinhalese Buddhism (particularly the Siam Nikaya sect).[3]

Geographically Govigama is highly concentrated in to Upcountry including Kandy, Colombo and some other interior areas of low country. These Govi and the Bathgama have traditionally been responsible for cultivation in accordance with the traditional tenure system of land-holding known as Rājākariya, where the king granted land in exchange for services rendered.[4] The Govigama caste has several endogamous sub divisions which include the Radalas (Kandyan aristocracy), Rate atto (husbandmen), Patti (shepherds), Katupulle (messengers or clerks), Nilamakkara (temple servants), Porovakara (wood cutters), Vahal (Radala servants) and Gattara (Govigama outcaste).[5][6][7][8]

  1. ^ Hussein, Asiff (1 January 2001). The Lion and the Sword: An Ethnological Study of Sri Lanka. A. Hussein. p. 18. ISBN 9789559726203.
  2. ^ Peebles, Patrick (22 October 2015). Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 65. ISBN 9781442255852.
  3. ^ Fernando, Jude Lal (2013). Religion, Conflict and Peace in Sri Lanka: The Politics of Interpretation of Nationhoods. LIT Verlag Münster. pp. 141–142. ISBN 9783643904287.
  4. ^ "Rājākariya - Sri Lankan history". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 20 July 1998. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  5. ^ Silva, K. M. De; M, K. (2005). A History of Sri Lanka. Penguin Books India. p. 202. ISBN 9789558095928.
  6. ^ Padmasiri, Kulasekera Mudiyanselage (1984). British Administration in the Kandyan Provinces of Sri Lanka, 1815-1833, With Special Reference to Social Change. University of London. p. 23.
  7. ^ Brow, James; Weeramunda, Joe (1992). Agrarian change in Sri Lanka. Sage Publications. pp. 74–75. ISBN 9780803994157.
  8. ^ Nyrop, Richard F. (1985). Sri Lanka: A Country Study. Vol. 550. Washington University: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 103.